Israeli exit polls show Netanyahu losing election: reports

In a surprising turn of events, exit polls in Israel show Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu losing the election. The prime minister's voting block failed to reach a 61 seats majority in the Knesset.

According the to the Jerusalem Post, there is no clear winner in the election. However, Axios reports that Netanyahu has failed to secure a victory.

Haaretz also declared victory for his opponent.

His Likud along with its right-wing and religious allies won a majority of seats, leading Israeli President Reuven Rivlin to task the premier with forming a new government.

But following weeks of discussions, Netanyahu failed to do so, leading him to opt for an unprecedented second election rather than risk having Rivlin choose someone else.

- Immunity? -

The danger for Netanyahu extended beyond remaining prime minister, a post he has held for a total of more than 13 years, first from 1996-1999 and again since 2009.

Recognizing the stakes, Netanyahu spent the final days of the campaign seeking to appeal to right-wing nationalists -- key to his re-election bid -- and to boost turnout among his base.

Those efforts have included a controversial pledge to annex the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank, a third of the territory.

He has issued unfounded warnings that the vote could be stolen by fraud in Arab communities, leading critics to accuse him of racism.

But Netanyahu has also highlighted the country's growing economy and his relationships with world leaders such as US President Donald Trump.

He has tried to label his main opponents "weak" and "leftist" despite their security credentials.

"This is the choice that is open to you: their left-wing government or a strong right-wing government led by me," he said on Facebook Live on Monday.

- 'Rude lies' -

Gantz has campaigned by presenting himself as an honorable alternative to Netanyahu.

He has repeatedly spoken of Netanyahu's willingness to form a coalition with far-right parties that could help him seek immunity.

Gantz says his alliance, which includes three former military chiefs of staff, wants a unity government that the vast majority of Israelis would support.

"Netanyahu continues to spread rude lies in a desperate attempt to save his government," Gantz said Monday. "He lies, scolds, skewers, divides."

His "make Israel normal again" slogan refers to what the staunch secularist says is the undue influence of ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties on the country's politics.

He accuses them of seeking to impose Jewish religious law on Israel's secular population and wants legislation ending the ultra-Orthodox's exemption from mandatory military service.

Lieberman prevented Netanyahu from forming a coalition after April polls when he refused to relent on his demand related to military service for the ultra-Orthodox.

It is not clear he will endorse Netanyahu as prime minister again, which could be enough for Rivlin to allow Gantz to try to form a government.

(with additional reporting from AFP)