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Israelis Go Back to the Polls, Gridlock Likely Winner

Associated Press

   JERUSALEM - For the third time in under a year, Prime Minister Benjamin
   Netanyahu seeks reelection, and once again the Israeli leader is on the
   ropes.

   After two inconclusive elections last year, opinion polls forecast
   another stalemate, a troubling scenario for Netanyahu who will go on
   trial on corruption charges two weeks after Monday's vote.

   This election campaign has been especially tumultuous. President Donald
   Trump launched his long-awaited Mideast plan, a proposal that heavily
   favored Israel and was seen as an election gift to Netanyahu. The
   Israeli leader, meanwhile, was forced to drop his bid for immunity from
   prosecution, and just this week, Israel battled Gaza militants in a
   two-day round of fighting.

   Monday's election is seen as another referendum on Netanyahu, the
   country's longest serving prime minister. And once again, the country
   seems hopelessly divided.

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