ELECTION DAY

Israel Goes to the Polls

As Israel goes to the polls.

It’s no Barack Obama vs. Mitt Romney. Israelis went to the polls Tuesday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expected to win a third term in office, although his party is expected to suffer some losses in Parliament. Faced with growing support for an ultra-right-wing party, Netanyahu could be forced to come to a compromise with the center-left parties after the election. No Israeli has ever won an absolute majority, so Netanyahu has partnered with the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu group. A Netanyahu victory is likely to push Israel further to the right, with peace with Palestine looking less likely and the looming showdown with Iran more dangerous.