EXPLAINED | Israel Elections 2022: Benjamin Netanyahu leads in exit poll; Understand Israel's Parliament - Knesset

Israel elections 2022 news: Exit polls carried out by Israel's three main TV channels showed on Wednesday that Benjamin Netanyahu, the country's longest-serving leader and former Israeli Prime Minister who was ousted last year after 12 consecutive years, is likely to make a comeback after the general election. The official results aren't out yet.

Why Israel Polls 2022 matter?

It is Israel's fifth election in less than four years in an effort to end the country's political deadlock and restore political stability.

Israelis started casting their ballots on Tuesday in country's election, which features a close contest between Prime Minister Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid party and the leader of the Opposition, Benjamin Netanyahu of Likud.

Additionally, this election is a chance for Netanyahu to secure the 61-seat majority in the Knesset and the requirement to put together a coalition capable of enacting laws in the Israeli Parliament.

Understand Israel Parliament - Knesset 

It is Israel's unicameral parliament which serves as the state's highest authority.

In contrast to the United States of America, there are no districts in Israeli elections; instead, the entire nation serves as a single electoral district for the purpose of allocating Knesset seats.

There are 120 members of the Knesset who are elected using a closed-list vote, which means that Israelis vote for political parties rather than specific individuals.

If a party receives enough votes to fulfil the 3.25 percent requirement for entry into the Knesset, the 120 seats are distributed proportionally to each party based on the votes.

In order to form a government, a party needs 61 seats, which has never occurred in Israel's history, hence coalitions are formed instead.

Following an election, the President selects the Knesset member most capable of forming a workable government, which isn't always the party leader with the highest support.

In order to create a government with 61 out of 120 seats, that person has 42 days to negotiate with various parties. After that, they must put their newly formed government up for a vote of confidence.

Israel's prime minister is chosen if the government is approved by the Knesset with the support of at least 61 members. Elections must be held on the last Tuesday before the conclusion of the 90-day period if the Knesset fails the vote or the candidate is unable to form a coalition government.

Israel Elections 2022: What are the key issues for Israeli voters?
 

Security is the biggest issue among voters. Tension still exists in the Gaza Strip, where two million Palestinians have lived for more than ten years.

Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons and backing for extremist organisations are perennial concerns for the area, while more locally, Israeli-Palestinian violence has increased this year.

According to a Reuters report, Israelis are as fed-up with soaring prices as they are with the country's seemingly never-ending elections.