• Analysis
Yellow Vests Halloween Protests Loom as Arab Parties Weigh in Israel's Tight Election
France prepares for Yellow Vests protests rallying under 'Act III – Halloween' with a 70,000-strong security deployment, while Israel's vote ended with both Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot claiming victory and Arab parties' historic gains in play, and the US midterm campaign closes with a Trump-Obama exchange.
France Readies for 'Act III – Halloween' and America's Theatrical Campaign Close
France is preparing for another weekend of Yellow Vests protests, this time under the rallying cry 'Act III – Halloween'. Authorities have put 70,000 police and security forces on duty across the country, a response to the riots and looting of recent weeks.
- •70,000 police and security forces on duty for the protest weekend
- •Protests follow weeks of riots and looting
- •A cash-strapped government faces mounting grievances, a rolling protest movement and little room for manoeuvre ahead of elections
- •Paris is struggling to restore order while grappling with crippling debt
In the United States, the closing days of the midterm campaign have taken a distinctly theatrical turn, with a public exchange between Donald Trump and Barack Obama. The back-and-forth ranged over gold-plated White House décor, accusations of elitism and an unlikely cameo from the Cheesecake Factory.
Two Victory Claims in Israel's Election
Both Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival Gadi Eisenkot claimed victory after the vote, yet neither side secured the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority. The make-up of the next government is therefore left open.
One bloc outside the two camps drew particular attention: Arab parties made historic gains in the Israeli election and are seen as potentially holding the balance of power.
Netanyahu Challenges the Result, Eisenkot Wants a Zionist Government
The Arab parties' strong showing drew sharply different responses from the two contenders. Netanyahu is challenging the legitimacy of their result, while Eisenkot insists on a Zionist government.
Israel's coalition picture remains unresolved as Netanyahu contests the Arab parties' result and Eisenkot holds to a Zionist government, while France awaits the 'Act III – Halloween' protest weekend.
