By Islam El-Sakka
A 94-year-old Israeli man, Israel Kreis, collapsed and died outside his apartment building in Ramat Gan on Tuesday after casting his ballot in the national election, his daughter Shirley said.
Kreis had been determined to vote for Gadi Eisenkot, the leader of the Yashar party and main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His daughter drove him to the polling station; on the return, he collapsed upon exiting the car.
Eisenkot personally called Shirley to offer condolences. Israel's volunteer emergency service ZAKA confirmed the death and said the body was taken to a cemetery ahead of the funeral.
Election Outcome and Coalition Prospects
With nearly all votes counted, Eisenkot's bloc was projected to win 48 seats, while Netanyahu's Likud-led bloc was on course for 53 seats. Neither side reached the 61-seat majority needed to form a government, setting the stage for coalition negotiations.
Netanyahu called for a "strong, right-wing national government," while Eisenkot said voters had rejected Netanyahu's continued premiership and urged him to retire. Arab parties outside the two main blocs could hold the balance of power, though Eisenkot has ruled out partnering with them.
