JERUSALEM: Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to return to power as Wednesday’s vote count showed his conservative Likud party and its potential religious and far-right allies had won less than four years. After Israel’s fifth election, Israel is fast moving towards a majority in parliament. .
The result means Israel will have the most far-right coalition in its history, upsetting Palestinians and Arab neighbors who fear it could escalate tensions in the Middle East.
“We are on the brink of a great victory,” a smiling Netanyahu cheered supporters at his party’s campaign headquarters, his voice rough from weeks of campaigning.
Netanyahu’s potential alliance with ultranationalist firebrand Itamar Ben-Gvir has alarmed Palestinians and members of Israel’s minority Arabs. Asked whether Washington had expressed such concerns, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council declined to comment.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Israeli government on our shared interests and values,” the spokesperson added.
As prime minister, Netanyahu is likely to pursue settlement activities in the occupied territories where the Palestinians, with international support, seek statehood. But his tough stance on Iran means Israel’s recent Gulf allies must remain steadfast.
Bassam Saleh, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s executive committee, said, “There is no doubt that such an alliance will result in an increase in hostility towards the Palestinian people and a more severe occupation.”
Netanyahu vowed to build a “stable, national government” that would act responsibly, avoid “unnecessary adventures” and “expand the sphere of peace”.
Political Paths
Although the landscape could change as the remaining ballots begin to be counted, Israeli media predict that Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges, will win 65 of the Knesset’s 120 seats in a four-party bloc. will lead
After a campaign dominated by concerns over security and the cost of living, support for Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s ruling coalition has eroded. Lapid failed to concede victory in the final.
But he also canceled his participation in next week’s UN climate conference.
Less than 18 months out of office, Netanyahu also said he would wait for official results.
Israel’s longest-serving prime minister’s 12-year reign ended in June last year, when Lepid joined Netanyahu’s separatist ally Naftali Bennett in an unlikely coalition of liberal, right-wing and Arab parties. Collected.
But the weak alliance completed one year of its rule.
Netanyahu’s legal battles have fueled the impasse that has dogged Israel’s political system since 2019 and deepened the divide between his supporters and opponents. But he said Israelis are hungry for change.
“The people want a different approach. They want security,” Netanyahu said. “They want strength, not weakness. They want diplomatic wisdom, but with firmness.”
