but rical isaac herzog has yet to concede. >> and an unprecedented show of strength by israeli-palestinian parties. their joint list is set to emerge third. ♪ ♪ >>> live from our headquarters no doha. also ahead in this half hour. i australia drone crashes in syria. the assad government claims responsibility. >>> and another appeal for international aid as the recovery process begins in vanuatu. ♪ ♪ >>> israeli prime minute step berwyn netanyahu has an edge in early counting after one of the closest elections in the country's history. he's already declared victory but center left rival isaac herzog says he's working to put together a coalition. mike hannah reports now from tel aviv. >> reporter: it was a night in which all could claim victory. two exit polls had the zionist union with 27 seats. the third gave them a one seat edge. a powerful display too by the newly-formed joint list of israeli-palestinian parties. exit polls giving the movement their seen seats as potentially the third most powerful force in the parliament. but the reality is, the exit polls indicate it will be ea

it was behind isaac herzog and his running mate tzipi livni. they seem to have lost in just the hours before the polls opened. benjamin netanyahu in a media blitz and he was literally everywhere at every time. morning shows radio shows making public appearances and it really does feel like this last push by mr. netanyahu to secure enough voters. when we look at his far right coalition, his message was support the likud and support netanyahu netanyahu. >> at the zionist movement headquarters, thank you. >>> the flynn side said that the provisional outcome is bad news for any chance of peace. >> it seems to me that mr. mr. netanyahu will form the next government in israel, and we all heard what they said yesterday. they said if he's re-elected as prime minister, he will not allow the palestinians to stay. he will continue with settlement settlement. mr. netanyahu has done nothing in his life but destroy the two-state solution. >> the hamas spokesman said that all the israeli parties are alike to us. they may disagree on many things but what unite

none of the positions is to recommend isaac herzog. since we don't see real differences relating to the right of the palestinians, and the full equality, they are the citizens and jewish citizens withdraw from the or. the party voter tonne out is the highest. it's top. the block right wing policy and the number of seats it wants puts it in a better position. >> what is for certain is there's major ideological differences among the members of the joint list. acknowledging that the differences could affect the party's ability to make decisions. for now, palestinians will hope the joint list will not disappoint them and most are happy with what is an un% dented experience -- unprecedented >>> we go live to gill - what do you make of the likud victory. are you as surprised as the exit pollsters and the rest of us? look, no one thought binyamin netanyahu would win by a wide margin he did so reiterating to israelis that they could be in danger if they lose the selection that the nuclear threat is immediate. the palestinian issue, internation

here's a close look at isaac herzog the 54-year-old candidate who wants to the throne netanyahu. reporter: the voices deep and statesmanlike. isaac herzog has been mocked by his nasal voice and has admitted to taking elocution lessons to try to correct it. he is not afraid to poke fun at himself. he took aim at voters pushed off by his lackluster manner. the candidate head of the zionist union, alongside centrist -- said it is time people take him seriously. herzog: i am the only one who can change the country's situation. i am deal who can get a mandate from the president to form a government. reporter: he may be low-key, but the former lawyer says he offers a different kind of leadership, that shifts away from security and toward more social and economic issues. while netanyahu's campaign breasts on the threat from iran, herzog is over while netanyahu's campaign rests on threats from iran, herzog is focused on the economy. herzog: for this, i will make every effort to present our initiative to the arab league and all interested parties. reporter: herzog said he would consider a

herzog approach to resolve talks has appealed to voters. >> translation: i support isaac herzog, and tzipi livni, because i hope the government can make change. binyamin netanyahu's rule is unsatisfying. there should be someone to replace him. neither binyamin netanyahu or isaac herzog will be able to govern europe outright. they'll have to broker deals to form a coalition. polls suggest they could win as many as 26 seats. the likud party more than 20, 61 seats are needed to control parliament. that means smaller movements will be king makers choosing between a government focused on security, or the economy. >> a lot of polls indicate na binyamin netanyahu may have overplayed his hand on the security issue. israelis are focused on the economy, the high price of rent in homes, and salaries that have not gone up in the last decade. prime minister binyamin netanyahu's position on security may cost critical votes at the polls. >> dana lewis in jerusalem. thank you. secretary of state john kerry and his iranian counterpart talked for nearly five hours about a nuclear programme. the pair m

we are looking now at isaac herzog casting his ballot. he and livni have given benjamin netanyahu a surprise and a shock as we don't know really at this point who is likely to be the next prime minister. we'll keep a close eye on this. there it is. everyone taking this photo opportunity of possibly the next prime minister of israel. we don't know, of course. we never do. but at this point it is neck in neck. a very very tight race. >>> it sounds like he might be going to say something -- all right. leave it for now. we know earlier, of course benjamin netanyahu's already cast his ballot. so now his main opponent has done the same. and we will wait and see as they count those ballots and as the people of israel cast their ballots throughout the dayment. >>> all right. on to another story watching closely here at cnn. a powerful real estate heir has been officially charged with a murder in los angeles. robert durst of arrested in thoerl -- was arrested in new orleans. authorities say he was about to flee the country. he's accused of killing

isaac herzog seen here cast his ballot half an hour ago in tel aviv aviv. the leader of the zionist coalition. he hopes to reopen talk with palestinian officials and to bring social reform. >> prime minister benjamin netanyahu voted a little earlier in jerusalem. he's made last-ditch efforts the past few days to secure more right-wing votes and continues to stress national security. >>> for more on the election let's go to orrin lieberman live in jerusalem now. orrin, it seems netanyahu really making that last-minute appeal to right wing voters doubling down on what he has focused on throughout the election. >> reporter: absolutely. the last few days and especially these last hours before the election he's made a push for the right wing. in an interview yesterday with local media, he suggested that if he were prime minister there would be no palestinian state. under his leadership he insists a palestinian state would simply be a base for attacks on the state of israel. he's really making a push for right-wing voters. here's what he had to say shortly after

the opposition leader isaac herzog called binyamin netanyahu to confratulate him on the win. the next step is to invite binyamin netanyahu to form the coalition. 99% of the votes are in. it shows that binyamin netanyahu has 29 seats compared to the zionist hearty led by mr yerz looks like they'll get 24. universal sports network promised not to -- binyamin netanyahu promised not to allow the palestinian state if he win, and isaac herzog talked about backing a two-state. and the small arab parties, coming under one umbrella, taking 14 seats. let's bring to together with imtiaz tyab our correspondent in west jerusalem for us. nice to see you. the process - talk us through this first of all. i mentioned before that the president will have to invite binyamin netanyahu. what happens then? >> well as soon as binyamin netanyahu is tasked to form the government, that's when the horse trading begins. mr binyamin netanyahu is entering the coalition building exercise if you will in a stronger place than he ever has. he has, as you mentioned a projected 29 or so maybe more seats in parli

and i mean before this he was trailing his main opponent isaac herzog. how did the exit polls get it so wrong, and why did everyone appear to be writing netanyahu off so quickly when we're looking at these results? >> reporter: that's a fascinating question. gets into sort of the statistical anomalies of the polls. that's trying to extrapolate from a small population to the entire country of israel. it's interesting to note that in the past few elections, exit polls missed by seven or eight seats different parties. a few years ago, we saw the seven or eight seats to a man polling with 12 seats. he ended up with 19 that made him a powerful political player. now it's obvious as the results have come in where the seven or eight seats have gone. they've gone straight to benjamin netanyahu's likud party which has given him a very strong argument to be the next prime minister, to put together the coalition. will be interesting to see where the pollsters got it wrong, where they missed so badly and predicted this as so close, rosemary. >> now he appear to be st

the opposition leader, isaac herzog called benjamin netanyahu to congratulate him on his election win. the next step is for israel's president to invite netanyahu to form a coalition. 99% of the vote is in. it could lead to 29 seats compared to the zionist union with 24 seats. prime minister netanyahu has promise there had will be no palestinian state created if he wins this fourth term. the zionist union does back the idea of a two-state solution, and you've also got this tomorrow the joint israel arab union, the small parties that banned together and ever now taken 14 seats in the can knesset. for people not familiar with israeli politics, talk us through the process now. it's not just a case of forming a coalition. there are formalities go through. >> indeed. all eyes are on the president to see if he will tap mr. netanyahu's shoulder and ask him to form his coalition government, but if we look at comments made late yesterday evening by the president, he said that he's going to work towards a unity government, meaning he wants mr. netanyahu and the opposition leader, isaac herzog a

meanwhile, his challenger isaac herzog leads him in the polls. a gap in the polls came out after netanyahu and herzog said if you are okay with the status quo, the last six years under benjamin netanyahu, vote for benjamin netanyahu. then he went on to say if you want change and you want different leadership and new direction for israel vote isaac herzog and zionist union. this is the important day. voter turnout. both sides urging voter turnout. that could be critical in the race. john we will see how this plays out. we will get the first numbers after 10:00 p.m. tonight. >> that is 4:00 p.m. our time. stay tuned to cnn. this will be exciting after the polls close. oren liebermann, thanks. >>> developing this morning, president obama says the u.s. cannot afford to have the republicans undermine the negotiations with iran. the president told "vice" founder shane smith that he is embarrassed for the senators that signed the letter. jim acosta has more. >> reporter: officials say iranian negotiators raised tom cotton's letter to the ayatollah khome

if they don't go to the lekou, the next prime minister will be isaac herzog. from the right that's not a good development. so we're in for the last several days. 1/5 of the israeli electorate, 1/5 is probably undecided. i'm not making any predictions. the last time i predicted it which was in 1996. bill clinton invited simon perez to the white house. most of us were persuaded that netanyahu would never become the prime minister of israel. now with the except of david bengorian, he's the third longest running prime minister in israeli history. >> if there is a change, what might happen with the american/israeli relationship if netanyahu loses? >> you know, i think if isaac herzog is in a position to form a government and can form a government, i think one of the most striking things, contrasts, will be a fundamental in the u.s./israeli relationship. herzog has talked about the centrality of our relationship to israel's security. it's clear they'll be popping champaign corks at the white house if herzog can form the next government. i think they're persuaded on

something isaac herzog does not disagree on. brendan: from over here, we read and intangible and unquantifiable idea that israelis are kind of tired of benjamin netanyahu. does that resonate over there? elliott: for some people that in the past have voted for benjamin netanyahu, there's a sense of wariness. if he wins his elections, it will not be his third straight win, it will be his fourth win total. he could end up being the longest-serving leader of israel , surpassing david ben-gurion, the founding prime minister. which is remarkable for a man who israelis either love him or hate him. ben-gurion was much less of a divisive force. there is an element of wariness. people who might have voted for him in the past. if they do not believe land should be returned or given to the palestinians in exchange for some kind of peace, they will be leaning to the right. you should be looking at this in terms of blocks. is the right wing, the right-wing parties including netanyahu going to have enough votes to form a coalition? more so tha

also a profile of isaac herzog the man that hopes to replace binyamin netanyahu as president >>> a deeper look and a growing question of weather money will be there when state and city employees are ready to retire. >>>claims that i.s.i.l. fighters used chemical weapons. they have evidence that they used chlorine gas in a car bomb attack. dozens of fighters were treated for dizziness after the blast. no one was killed. 13 peshmerga fighters were killed today near the oil-rich city of kirkuk. kurdish forces say they are making gains near i.s.i.l. with the help of air strikes they recaptured a village that's been under i.s.i.l. control. >>> i.s.i.l. has been accused of using chemical weapons. kurdish officials are offering proof. [ gun fire ] >> reporter: the accusations have been around for months. now they say the proof. it's these plumes of orange smoke exploding into the air which iraqi and kurdish officials say is chlorine and proves i.s.i.l. fighters are using the gas against them. fighters filmed this video near tikrit claiming an i.s.i.l. suicide bomber was driving an oil tanker fil

obviously isaac herzog will go after hatnuah. he's a right wing they're comes from likud. he only left two years ago. the question is will he take part in a coalition that could support the arab unity party that did so well today and is now the third largest party. it will be very interesting to see how this plays out in the days ahead. >> woodruff: so in the end, martin, we know the economy was an issue. clearly peace. security was an issue. is there a sense... do you have a sense of which was more important to voters in the end? >> well, in the end it has to be said it was the economy, because benjamin netanyahu is pushing that security line. security, vote for me, you'll be safe. so he was running commercials saying he was the bibi-sitter, a play on his name, bibi netanyahu people use. but clearly voters didn't want to talk about security. they wanted to talk about the housing crisis and the high cost of living. in the end that's what basically gave netanyahu a hard time. and he fought for his political life and made all these statements that very sharp turn to the righ

isaac herzog said he would bring change. if you want the status quo, vote netanyahu. if you want different leadership and change, that is what he is standing for. we have seen netanyahu focus on security. that is his biggest issue. herzog focusing on the economy. both know the polls are falling behind in the race. up until the last week it was neck and neck. isaac herzog is ahead. we will find the official results in the hours after the polls close. john. >> thanks to oren liebermann for that. >>> developing this morning, president obama says the u.s. can't afford to have senate republicans trying to undermine his efforts to negotiate a nuclear deal with iran. that is how president obama it with the interview with "vice." he told the founder that he is embarrassed for the republicans that signed the letter. cnn's jim acosta has more. >> reporter: the negotiators did raise senator tom cotton's letter to the ayatollah khomeini. they are talking about it as a distraction. cotton says it was signed by 46 of his colleagues and complain complained. the flare up was enough t

his party shows a very slight lead over the challenger isaac herzog. one of them will be asked to put together a coalition government. that's no easy task in a bitterly divided nation. and i will speak with the state department spokes woman. analysts are standing by for full coverage. but let's get the very latest on that u.s. airman. pamela brown is standing by. pamela? >> reporter: this is the first u.s. military member we know of who allegedly tried to link up with isis. according to court documents, he was at one point a mechanic for american airlines and an air force mechanic for four years tried to travel to syria to join isis. he left the air force in the 90s and worked for several private aviation companies as an airplane mechanic and in speaking to officials that is alarming because he could have taken his skills to the terrorist groups and helped them. he allegedly flew from egypt to turkey. turkish officials denied him entrance after he refused them access to his electronics and turkey sent him on a return flight to egypt. it appeared that h

binyamin netanyahu's rival is isaac herzog. >> president obama is committed to a 2-state solution and it's hopeful, whatever choice the people of israel make that there'll be ab ability to be able to move forward on the efforts. >> it's that peace effort that isaac herzog is counting on calling for peace. >> reporter: he's get palestinian officials more times than any other israeli politician in the past year. isaac herzog the leader of the opposition says he's committed to making peace. >> i think it's a mistake that we are already assuming that it's over. it's part of the tragedy that unfolds in front of our eyes. it's not true. absolutely. possible absolutely possible. still to make peace. >> in the days leading up to the general election on march 17th isaac herzog was running a tight campaign against rival binyamin netanyahu. it gained a momentum. led by the former justice minister and peace negotiator tzipi levni. opinion polls suggest the zionist union block could win more seats than the likud party, falling short of securing a majority. alicia is a professor of political scienc

also a profile of isaac herzog the

and you suck herzog -- and isaac herzog, the opposition leader. comments go out to him. a very close race. they are waking up to a very different picture. however, the paper that is the most widely distributed hundreds of thousands of copies handed out every morning on the streets of israel, has campaigned from the beginning for benjamin netanyahu. the paper for longest run american billionaire, a rich friend of netanyahu. absolutely no picture on the cover of herzog or any other opponents, except for the centrist, the kingmaker. he's overdue looking forward saying that netanyahu is -- he's already looking forward, saying the netanyahu is six ending ahead. his task is to form a coalition. one of the editorials in this paper also lashing out at the media. saying that while the media and analysts were telling us that the centerleft was going to win, the people of israel chose differently. eve: now in studio is melissa both. -- is melissa. a lot of people are looking at a former likud member possibly being the kingmaker. melissa: it looks as though he will be the kingmaker.

they showed isaac herzog leading in the polls. netanyahu was a few seats behind him. >> the prime minister made some final attempts over the weekend to pull in more right-wing voters and in an interview on monday mr. netanyahu back-pedaled on what was a key issue in this election, his stance on palestinian statehood. >> translator: anyone who is going to establish a palestinian state, is giving a base for attacks for radical islam against israel. this is the true reality that was created in the last few years, they who do not understand that stick their hand heads in the stand. >> reporter: so if you are prime minister a palestinian state will not be formed? >> translator: indeed. >> palestinians responded saying his comments were nothing new. they said he has done everything possible to get rid of the two-state solution. one of herzog's advisers also weighed in on the comments. listen. >> israelis are not going to be be bam boozed this time by netanyahu's smoke screens. we have a different policy fully support the two-state solut

but it appears this was not enough to close the gap on isaac herzog's zionist union. crucially, though no single movement will get near the 61 seats needed to command a majority in the parliament. and as in previous elections, there are likely to be weeks of coalition talks before a government is formed. the difference this time is the emergence of a united israeli palestinian block. four parties coming together in forming the joint list. galvanizing israeli palestinians who make up one fifth of the population. the joint list could win as many as 14 seats, making it a potentially crucial player. but in all aspects of israeli politics there is a problem, members of the arab organization pledging they will not be part of it. there are so many things that could happen in this election. there could be a coalition formed from the center as it is told in israeli's spectrum of politics. there could be a coalition formed to the right. and it could be a government of national unity. so every single permation is possible. we'll get a real indication of which way it is going, wh

monika: let's look at isaac herzog. what does he have going for him to mount such a strong challenge to netanyahu? >> he has taken on the task to look at his failure, to address the socioeconomic issues. those issues that many israelis would point out like rising housing prices and the high cost of living. that is what middle-class israelis are talking about. that is what they're hoping for that he will do something. of course, he was criticized that he is not a charismatic leader. if you could be a leader in a country like israel. you have to be very careful, they are not always is accurate. we have less than an hour now to go. we see the first exit polls if he has convinced israelis to work for him. monika: it will be interesting to see how these exit polls will turn out. terry: we are joined by the chair of the green party chairing the parliamentary group. mr. beck, wide do you think benjamin netanyahu has abandoned the principles? >> that he changed publicly his position on the issue -- i think this interview has, i

exit polls indicate a battle with isaac herzog. a win by the unity party may not create a dramatic change in u.s. israel relations. >> herzog will be not that far off from where netanyahu is an will be just as michael of the iranian track that the u.s. is on right now. pimm: u.s. airlines such as delta are pushing for what they call fair skies.

elise labott is "outfront" tonight. >> reporter: isaac herzog said a prayer to fulfill his destiny. he seems an unlikely candidate for prime minister. >> i've always suffered from a certain underestimation. >> reporter: even his high-pitched voice has become a concern in this campaign. something that he has acknowledged when he poked fun of himself in this campaign ad using someone else's voice. [ speaking in foreign language ] >> reporter: he comes from political royalty. the israeli version of the kennedys. his grandfather, one of israel's first chief rabbis his uncle, a fierce foreign minister. benjamin netanyahu falling behind in the polls dismisses him as a lightweight who can't stand up to iran or the palestinians. in a recent campaign ad portraying himself as a baby sitter to herzog. but israeli voters are more focused on security something that netanyahu was not counting on when he made his high-profile speech to congress earlier this month. the group's secret weapon is jeremy bird a former obama campaign strategist who scolded the tactics that helped repel obama to office.

at stake where the next prime minister will be benjamin netenyahu or isaac herzog. >> reporter: it is close to 80% of the 6 million eligible voters will cast their ballot by the even. among the voters is benjamin netenyahu who's party has been slipping behind in the most recent polls. and in recent days netenyahu himself has reached out to the right, catching support for settlements in occupied territory, and recanting what was always a grudging commitment to a palestinian state. but it appears this was not enough to close toe gap on the zionist union, which polls indicate could emerge as the dominant political movement when the votes are counted. no single movement will get near the seats needed to command a majority in the parliament. and there are likely to be weeks of coalition talks before a government is formed. the difference this time is the emergence of a united israeli palestinian block. four parties coming together and forming a joint list galvanizing israeli palestinians. early indications are that the joint list could win as many as 14 seats, making it a potentially craw

not so much with his opponent isaac herzog who said that netanyahu is causing unnecessary panic. they have two different views on what is happening in switzerland. the negotiations are resuming today. secretary of state kerry and foreign minister. we're told by at least one senior official they have brought up the republican letter at least twice over the last two days in the negotiations. the letter that was signed by 47 republicans here urging iran to back off these negotiations and take another look whether or not whatever deal they come up with is going to stick after president obama is out of office. >> all right tracyie potts on capitol hill. thank you. >>> kurdish investigating two possible chemical weapons attacks by isis. the kurds also just released this footage, which they say is of soldier suffering after another chemical weapons attack by isis last december. a kurdish general said they waited to reveal the footage out of fears of causing panic. the claims haven't been vetted by international authorities. the more recent alleged attacks come as a major iraqi offensive

isaac herzog is the leader of the labor party. they formed an alliance. polling suggesting that their zionist union block could win more seats than the right-wing likud party, signalling a shift in domestic and foreign policies. isaac herzog want to repair ties with the palestinians and the united states. the long-strained relations between binyamin netanyahu and president obama reached a low point this month when binyamin netanyahu addressed a joint session of congress warning against a nuclear deal with iran, without seeking approval from the white house. >> we will know how to amend and correct the relationship and how to return them back to being intimate, strong strategic, with full alliance between us and the united states. the party expected to place third is a list and alliance of parties, the first time they are divided along religious lines. it is expected to win a record 13 or more seats in the 120 seat parliament. and while the union leaders publicly ruled out joining a government coalition, some analysts suggest if the right wins more votes t

his main challengers are the zionist union, made up by isaac herzog. they have promised a renewed push for peace. and they have also focused on the rising cost of living which has become a central issue for israelis. we have correspondent at the headquarters of the key parties. let's first go to the likud party headquarters. mike what is the mood like there? do they think he can pull it off? all right. mike i'm not sure if you heard me there. it's lauren in the studio. i'm just wondering whether you think at the party headquarters that netenyahu can pull it off, and get in again. >> reporter: okay. that's good. >> okay. we seem to have a bit of a communications problem there with our correspondent. let's see his report from he filed a little earlier. ♪ >> reporter: there's been a steady stream of voters since the early morning, and it is expected that close to 80% of the 6 million eligible voters will cast their ballots by the evening. among the early voters was benjamin netenyahu, who's likud party has been slipping behind in the most recent polls.

now we know that isaac herzog said he's not going to serve in a netanyahu unity government. he says reserve in opposition so it looks like if netanyahu is going to put this coalition together which everyone expects it's going to be the jewish home party on the right. also some of the religious parties. and of course morei the former minister in netanyahu's party who left two years ago formed his own party got ten seats and is now the fourth largest party or fifth largest party in the polls. so he has asked for the justice ministry many people saw him as a kingmaker, if it was going to be a close race. now that it's clear netanyahu is going to be the one forming the government. everyone expressed that morei will be the finance minister in a netanyahu government. >> martin seemungel for us tonight in tel aviv, thank you very much. >> ifill: for more on what netanyahu remaining in power means for israel, prospects for a palestinian state, and the american-israeli relationship, i'm joined by former israeli ambassador to the united states itamar rabinovich. shibley telhami, the a

herzog. and it is no coincidence that he keeps doing photo ops at local food markets. >> israel is in a sour mood, frustrated by high taxes, high prices, and a falling standard of living, opponents say the election is a referendum on netanyahu. >> economy yacht says this echoes a lot of people here, i feel the current leadership of netanyahu is past its day and time for a change. >> in the last days before tuesday vote cities are plastered with posters and people are pummelled by campaign commercials. >> in this one netanyahu like kennels his opponents to unruly kids who would bust up the government. >> from an opposing party this one says netanyahu is preying on people's fears of war. they like it the narrator says when you are afraid. >> the cobbled together a coalition could go on for weeks. it may be a while before israellys knows who is in charge. >> barry petersen, cbs news, tel aviv. >> glor: sigh cyclone pam left much of vanuatu in the dark. the storm packed upwind up to 167 miles per

it seemed to favor isaac herzog who was focusing on the economy. and that really did seem to resinate with a lot of israeli voters, but when they went to the polls and were confronted with a choice, they opted on that with mr. netenyahu. and not only mr. netenyahu, of course, we did very well securing roughly around 20 seats, 12 more than the previous election. the far-right parties also did extremely well. so the israeli public embracing, if you will the defense, i suppose issue that has dominated israeli politics for decades. and that clearly has not changed. >> thank you very much for joining us. >>> one of the other outcomes of this election is the joint list of israeli palestinian parties is now going to be the third largest political force in the israeli parliament. our correspondent is in nazareth with more. >> reporter: the joint list of mainly arab members is now the third largest political party in the israeli parliament. and it has said it will do whatever it can to try to prevent another right-wing government from being formed here in i

he's up against isaac herzog but the race is tight. joining us middle east correspondent, thank you for joining us this morning. how is voter turnout so far? >> reporter: it is high milissa. as of 10:00 this morning, nearly 14% of israelis had cast their vote 20% up on the last israeli election in 2013. i spoke to opposition leader isaac herzog he told me people were coming out to vote for change and a government that's going to do something about the very high cost of living in israel. that has been a central plank of his campaign. the incumbent, prime minister bibi netanyahu has gone back to core issue, defense of israel security come what may. in an interview last night on tv he made it clear that on his watch, there will be no establishment of a palestinian state. netanyahu hoping that hard line is enough to get him across the line in this election. >> thank you very much. >>> get ready for the rumble in salt lake. mitt romney taking on heavyweight boxing champ evander holyfield. the match takes place in mai. 68 yearly romney 6'2"

netanyahu was trailing his main opponent isaac herzog wasn't he in the final polls? then he made this last-minute promise to prevent any move toward a palestinian state. do you think it was that pledge that changed his fortunes and will he need to stand by that or will there be pressure from the international community to alter that promise? >> i think it was a few thing that helped. it was definitely his renunsiation of palestinian statehood. that part of the larger swing to the right in the final few days after the re-election polls were conducted. yesterday on election day, there was a particularly sordid text that went around from his likud party telling voters that the arabs were coming out in droves to the polls and were being bussed in by leftist organization. his party almosted -- appealed to racism to get their voters out. and that was something else in the end that i think did drive people to the polls. in terms of palestinian statehood, i'm sure he'll be under pressure to walk this back and say that was only a campaign slogan and i'm not actually committed

he and his top challenger isaac herzog have taken opposite position on a crucial issue. he will not create a palestinian state if re- elected. the stance puts him at odds with the obama administration which has called for two state solutions, herzog promises to work with the palestinians. >> that is something that we are going to continue to work with the international community to achieve diplomatically. >> the state department says u.s. will work with whomever wins the election. but it's no secret that the president and mr. netanyahu do not get along. >>> a real estate heir is now accused of murdering a woman who used to work here at kpix 5. and prosecutors have a powerful piece of evidence. what sound like a confession. reporter lori perez on the case against robert durst. >> reporter: tonight the brother of robert durst's first wife thinks the walls are finally falling in on the 71- year-old. jim mccormick's sister disappeared in 1982 after she and durst fought. but in 2000 her case was reopened and detectives were preparing to interview berman when she was shot exec

he said he would never split the city of jerusalem while claiming that isaac herzog would split the city of jerusalem. here's netanyahu. >> translator: as long as likud is in power, there will be no conventions, no withdrawals. therefore our rivals have invested to harm me and likud to open a gap between the likud and labor party. if we don't close the gap there's a danger that a left wing government will rise to power. >> herzog had his own symbolic response. herzog was in jerusalem praying at the western wall. the holiest site in the world for jews. everyone at the rally knows well what the final road of polling before the elections showed. it showed herzog and main left wing party opening a gap over netanyahu's likud party. guys, it's only four seats. but that four seats is the biggest gap we've seen so far in this election. and george, that's very significant this close to election day. >> and isaac herzog also making the point that he hopes to repair what he says has been damage between israel. the united states. at the same time mr. netanyahu ayou cuesing tycoons outside of the cou

in contrast netanyahu's rival union party leader isaac herzog promised to revive peace talks with the palestinians after he voted. he says the election is about change, hope and new direction for israel. joining me from tel aviv our middle east correspondent grant vincent. thanks for joining us. polls have another five hours, but could take days or longer before we know the outcome because it is believed to be this close. >> reporter: yes, and if it is closed could take awhile to work out who the next government is. if it is close, there's every chance that netanyahu could remain as prime minister of israel. last polls had him three or four seats behind isaac herzog the parliament and 120 seats inside could be split down the middle as they have been so many times before. if that happens, split down the middle between parties of the right and parties of the left and if that happens, benjamin netanyahu would find it easier to form a coalition government made up of right wing parties because there are fewer distances, less distance between those parties than there are between the parties

>>reporter: isaac herzog also spoke but did not concede and invited all political parties to come together under his leadership. >> i want to form a government that is good for israel that will return it to a democratic jewish country and aid peace with our neighbors so i ask all of the parties to come together with my leadership in order to achieve the unity of israel. >>reporter: it doesn't get anymore confusing in politics than here in israel on election night but it's very important to note that either of the main parties have the 61 seats necessary to form a government out of 121 seats, so all the negotiations begin now and it could take weeks for this to unfold. >> so how does the confusion play out now starting tomorrow? >>reporter: what happens officially is that the president of the country normally a ceremonial role suddenly he becomes very important. he has to determine which leader, which party is most likely to form a government. he turns to them and says give it a go you've got 45 days. that's the rule. they could extend it 45 days after that but generally 45 day window and t

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herzog pleasure to have you on. >> thank you, fareed. >> that was israel's labor party leader isaac herzog. we asked prime minister netanyahu to appear but he declined our invitation. next on "gps," the world's longest train journey was completed this week. we'll tell you where it went and why. k on purchases. that's a win. but imagine earning it twice. introducing the citi® double cash card. it lets you earn cash back twice, once when you buy and again as you pay. it's cash back. then cash back again. and that's a cash back win-win . the citi double cash card. the only card that lets you earn cash back twice on every purchase with 1% when you buy and 1% as you pay. with two ways to earn, it makes a lot of other cards seem one-sided. when heartburn comes creeping up on you... fight back with relief so smooth... ...it's fast. tums smoothies starts dissolving the instant it touches your tongue ...and neutralizes stomach acid at the source. ♪ tum, tum tum tum...♪ smoothies! only from tums. okay, listen up! i'm re-workin' the menu. mayo? corn dogs? you are so outta here! aah! [ female ann

isaac herzog is the leader of the labour party. labor gained momentum after it forged the left of center alliance recent polling suggests their zionist union block could win more seats than netanyahu's likud party signally a major shift. the long strained relations between benjamin netanyahu and barack obama received a low point this month when they addressed a session in congress warning that a nuclear deal with iran without first seeking approval from the white house. >> we will know how to amend and correct the relationship and how to return them back to being intimate strong, and strategic with full alliance when us and the united states. >> the party expected to place third is a joint list. the alliance of the palestinian parties is the first time that the parties divided along religious, socialist and nationalistic lines have campaigned together as a group. the group is expected to win 13 seats of the parliament. and some political analysts if the right winds wins more than expected they just might. >> the party leader that w

and isaac herzog, also 27 seats. and the party placed 3rd with 13 seats. from the headquarters of the zionist union party dean joins us with more. >> hi, john. indeed we were at the zionist headquarters when the polls closed local time. and there was a lot of cheering and celebration and then you start looking at the screen, and you realize that a block away netanyahu's headquarters, the same kind of partying was going on, and everybody starts to shrug their shoulders and this is israeli politics, and what happens now? the numbers don't give them a victory. theyeach party has 27 seats. and neither leader, isaac herzog, or benjamin netanyahu are willing to concede. let's hear what they said after the numbers were readout tonight. >> and now we have to set up a strong and secure government for all of the citizens of israel if they want. we don't know what the final results will be. there have been parties who have reached the minimum required, but i want to do everything that i can in order to form a real unity party for israel. >> reporter: jonathan, if it

isaac herzog met at the wailing wall. it is a close election. with hours to go here both candidates will be in the public's eye trying to make sure they are getting the votes. it comes down to tomorrow john. a very interesting day here in jerusalem here in israel as we see what the results are. >> fascinating. we also don't have anymore polls. it is not like the united states. they have taken the last public poll. we won't know what happened over the weekend. was the momentum already moving so fast against netanyahu, he could slim more. oren thanks so much. >>> aid is now slowly arriving in cyclone ravaged vanuatu. first reports reveal that cyclone pam inflicted one of the worst disasters to hit that region flattening every structure. there is concern of more than 80 pacific nations of the islands. this is a category five storm packing 195-mile-an-hour winds when it roared over the nation over the weekend. >>> where in the world is vladimir putin? it has been 11 days since the president has been seen in public. fuelling all kinds of speculation

final opinion polls show the opposition led by isaac herzog with a minor lead over benjamin netanyahu. polls also show netanyahu having a better chance of pulling together a coalition with parties who share his wariness of making further concessions to the palestinians. coming up, u.k. cancer george osborne says they are watching any giveaways and his budget. we will have a preview of wednesday's announcement. plus, victoria beckham. we will talk to the fashion designer about her big plans in asia. more on that story. visit bloomberg.com. ♪ >> a weaker euro of course helps exporting firms and helps exporting firms in italy. it helps other countries. this is good for everybody in the euro area. this generates additional growth momentum which has to be strengthened by further measures in the country as well. not just exports. guy: that was the italian finance minister speaking to us in cernobbio over the weekend. this morning, we continue to see it being pushed ever lower. 12-year lows, trading a little bit off a little north of 1.05. we are off by thre -- by 0.3%. what is going to ha

. >>> israel's opposite applicationopposition leader isaac herzog promised peace with palestine if voted for president. i said he's even ready to remove israel's settlements if necessary. >> he's met palestinian officials more times than any other israeli politician in the past year. and isaac herzog, the leader of the opposition, who heads the left of center labour party said he's committed to making peace. >> i think it's a mistake that we already assumed that it's over. it's part of the tragedy that that is involved in the front of our eyes. it is not true. absolutely. it is absolutely possible still to make peace with the palestinians. >> in the days leading up to israel's general election on march 17th, herzog is running a type complain against his closest rival, benjamin netanyahu. they forged an alliance with the party led by libby zidne. a professor of political science at university in the occupied west bank. he says no matter the outcome of israel's general election, little will likely change. >> of course there are preferences. and netanyahu is the worst so of course the left

. >>> says isaac herzog and his supporters are critical of the victory of benjamin netanyahu. supporters of herzog must not in fall into gloom an depression. >>> government to maintain a balance between security and the rights of citizens in indonesia. last year's annexing of crimea. >>> bond girl and his targets are not mexican. according to the e-mails, done deal. >>> we have to shoot and patrolling the straights and things like that. and that claim that mexico initials got their bond girl well an up and coming mexico start got cast as one of the many women in the film. >>> i believe that not only the bond girls eh involved but also the movies. time passes by and that's why this franchise is still so successful. is >>> and that's why the producer says he's coming here to mexico city to shoot that sequence of day of the dead for one of the city's most mysterious holidays. >>> he's due in theaters this november. >> tourists have gone to denmark to see friday's eclipse. they're hoping to see it. 'em ma hayward is there. >>reporter: it's not unusual to see the full force of four

isaac herzog calling him to congratulate him this is six years now that benjamin netanyahu has had the premiership. it looks like he'll have another few years here. because of such a wide margin of victory, it looks like he has a lot of options in the coalition government. a lot of parties in the right and center to work with. he's a master politician a master deal-maker and he'll put the tools to work to create the coalition government he wants. today he'll be celebrating the margin of victory and the call from herzog congratulating him. >>> meanwhile as relations between the u.s. and israel are near rock-bottom in recent months it's no secret the israeli prime minister and president obama don't care much for each other. what can we expect during the next two years, if netanyahu remains in power? let's turn to cnn white house correspondent michelle kosinski with that part of the story. >> given that netanyahu vowed to stand up to washington well his rival was saying that his goal was to repair relations with the u.s. you can pretty much see where things stand. i mean that's part of th

netanyahu and at the very least his nearest challenger, isaac isaac herzog. mr. netanyahu did extremely well in this election, better than expected. it was a surprise result in that he gained over 30 seats in the poll, still far short of the 61 that he needs to have an outright majority, so he has some coalition building to do. >> as you say the horse trading has already started, but what would a possible coalition look like? >> i think if mr. netanyahu had his way, he would effectively partner up with the parties that he did in the last election, including far right parties and religious parties but we heard just briefly a comment from the u.s. president, barack obama in which he said that a path towards building a palestinian state looks unlikely, in his words. that's certainly something that is going to be something that mr. netanyahu will think about as he forms his coalition government. was, it would be very easy for him to join up with his right wing partners from the prefers government but he may want to present himself as a more doveish israeli leader. at