Dead heat: Both Netanyahu and Gantz declares victory

Both prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival, Benny Gantz, declared victory, while the votes of the parliamentary elections in Israel will be counted.

This writes the israeli newspaper Haaretz.

- We love you, says Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu to his supporters in a victory statement on the night of Wednesday.

- This is a great victory. Højreblokken will continue to lead Israel in the next four years, he says from the podium with his wife Sara at his side.

But Benny Gantz, the head of the centre-left-alliance Blue and White, is also sejrssikker. He is grateful to Benjamin Netanyahu for many years of faithful service.

- It is a historic day, says Gantz and adds that he will lead the country's next government.

the Article continues under the picture...

Benny Gantz stands at the head of the centre-left-alliance Blue and White. Photo. AFP

At 03.30 is more than 79 percent of the votes counted and the Likud stands to get 37 seats in the israeli parliament, the Knesset.

Benny Gantz, former chief of the army, is to get 36 seats.

The first valgstedsmålinger gave otherwise a lead for the centre-left alliance, but as the night progressed the crumbled edge.

Now there is a dead heat between the blocs in israeli politics.

If it were to succeed Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next government in coalition with the small højrereligiøse parties, it will make him prime minister for the fifth time. This is a record in Israel.

the Article continues under the picture...

Netanyahu is fighting to become israeli prime minister for the fifth time. Photo: AFP

Just as in Denmark are the norm in Israel, coalition governments. Therefore, can the next days is expected to be made to agreements on the length and breadth of the political spectrum.

According to the vote count stands a number of smaller parties on both the right and the left to smoke out of the house.

The final results is expected later on Wednesday.