“Is Netanyahu coming back?” I ask an activist from his Likud party unfurling a large banner at the entrance to Jerusalem’s bustling Mahane Yehuda Market. “Yes!” she replies enthusiastically as a passer-by gives a thumbs up.
Final polls on Friday indicated that Israel’s right-wing former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could come just one seat short of an outright majority in his push to return to power.
Israelis return to the polls on Tuesday for their fifth election in less than four years.
The country has been locked in an unprecedented period of political stalemate since 2019, when its longest-serving leader was charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust, which he denies.
Mr Netanyahu was forced from office in mid-2021, when the centrist politician Yair Lapid pulled together a surprising coalition with liberal, right-wing and Arab parties united by their opposition to him.
The government outlasted the expectations of many, but finally collapsed in June. Mr Lapid is now caretaker prime minister and Mr Netanyahu’s main competitor as he bids for a record sixth term in office.
Credit: bbc.com
