As Israeli election nears, economic concerns take precedence over peace
- 9 years ago
Two years after the country’s last general election, Israeli politicians have been in campaign mode once again.
Voters will cast their ballots on Tuesday in an election called after the collapse of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government in December.
Netanyahu fired Finance Minister Yair Lapid and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni over their outspoken criticism of a bill that would have enshrined in law Israel’s status as a Jewish State.
Opponents said it would alienate the country’s Arab minority, who make up 20 percent of its population.
Now, polls show support slipping for Netanyahu’s centre-right Likud party. His stiffest challenge comes from the centre-left Zionist Bloc, which is led by Labour Party chief Isaac Herzog and Livni.
Both have attacked Netanyahu for failing to tackle key economic and social issues, especially the cost of living.
The incumbent has responded to those attacks by trying to paint Herzog and Livni as soft on foreign policy and securit
Voters will cast their ballots on Tuesday in an election called after the collapse of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government in December.
Netanyahu fired Finance Minister Yair Lapid and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni over their outspoken criticism of a bill that would have enshrined in law Israel’s status as a Jewish State.
Opponents said it would alienate the country’s Arab minority, who make up 20 percent of its population.
Now, polls show support slipping for Netanyahu’s centre-right Likud party. His stiffest challenge comes from the centre-left Zionist Bloc, which is led by Labour Party chief Isaac Herzog and Livni.
Both have attacked Netanyahu for failing to tackle key economic and social issues, especially the cost of living.
The incumbent has responded to those attacks by trying to paint Herzog and Livni as soft on foreign policy and securit