Shillong: India is doubling down on its partnership with Israel. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the commitment from New Delhi on Wednesday. The move comes as Israeli citizens cast ballots for the 26th Knesset. These elections are the first since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi, "Yes election is being conducted in Israel. I have seen many of your colleagues reporting from there. We have a good relationship with Israel. We will strengthen this relationship in the coming days."
Vote counting continues. Partial results released Wednesday afternoon put Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud-led bloc in front. Officials counted 84.5 percent of ballots by the afternoon. The Central Elections Committee reports Netanyahu’s bloc holds 54 seats. The opposition bloc, led by Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party, trails with 49 seats. Meanwhile, the Joint List and Ra’am factions saw their combined total slide to 17 seats, according to the Times of Israel.
Voter sentiment remains divided across the country. One Israeli citizen hoping for unity told IANS, "After the results, I think it’s very close, everybody is in the same place, and I’m hoping for peace among us. I want us to be together." Others prioritize security above all else. A voter near the Nova site, where 378 people were killed, argued that the nation requires a leader who grasps the specific threats facing the state. She emphasized the need for a government that understands the enemy and secures the country. She believes only Netanyahu can provide that safety.
Comments