Israeli election too close to call

Exit polls give Netanyahu slight lead

May 29, 1996
Web posted at: 6:45 p.m. EDT (2245 GMT)

(CNN) -- Revised exit polls from Israeli television showed right-wing challenger Benjamin Netanyahu narrowly leading Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres in Wednesday's election for prime minister.

Channel 1 television said a sampling of voters showed Netanyahu with 50.4 percent of the vote and Peres with 49.6, while Channel 2 projected Netanyahu would win 50.8 percent of the vote to Peres' 49.2 percent. The exit polls each have 1 percentage point margin of error, and observers said the election was too close to call. Pollsters say the lead is likely to swing back and forth throughout the night.

At least 71 percent of eligible voters had cast ballots for prime minister and parliament, according to Israel's Central Election Committee. It predicted the final turnout could exceed that of past elections, typically 78 percent. About 3.9 million Israelis were eligible to vote.

Polls opened early Wednesday morning under heavy security and closed at 10 p.m. local time (3 p.m. EDT/1900 GMT).

Among those who headed to the polling booths early were the two main candidates -- Prime Minister and Labor Party leader Shimon Peres and Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu.

Just after voting, Peres called the election a referendum on the peace process.

"I think it is a historic decision -- one road leads to peace; the other, to settlements," he said. "I hope the nation chooses peace."

Netanyahu cast his ballot near his Jerusalem home and left little doubt whom he hopes will win.

"Butterflies in my stomach? Well, I had moments of hesitation, but I'll tell you who I voted for. I voted for Netanyahu," he said.

Israel more than tripled security amid warnings that Islamic militants would disrupt voting with terrorist attacks. About 26,000 police and soldiers were deployed throughout the country, including 3,000 in the Arab sector of Jerusalem.

Security also was tightened around Prime Minister Peres and some of his election day appearances were canceled after the secret service received warnings that Jewish extremists were trying to attack him.

Related site:

• Pivotal Election: Israel

Back to the top

Feedback Send us your comments. Selected responses are posted daily.

| CONTENTS | SEARCH | CNN HOME PAGE | MAIN WORLD NEWS PAGE |

---

Copyright © 1996 Cable News Network, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.