Benjamin Netanyahu has a good chance to make history. In the summer he would be the Prime Minister with the longest term since the founding of Israel. He would replace none other than state founder David Ben Gurion.
Netanyahu’s opponents accuse him of having split the country during the election campaign. Anyway, on election night the Prime Minister was conciliatory. He said there would be a right-wing government, „But I intend to be the prime minister of all citizens of Israel: left and right, Jews and non-Jews, all citizens of Israel.“
First congratulations on the alleged victory were received by Netanyahu from the USA: President Donald Trump congratulated both by phone and by tweet for a „great and hard-won victory“.
Also continue to run as a defendant
Netanyahu’s Likud could also have wrested votes from smaller parties – such as the newly formed party from former Education Minister Naftali Bennet and Justice Minister Ajelet Schaked – which according to preliminary counts will not move into the Knesset.
But other possible coalition partners make it to parliament, including two ultra-Orthodox parties, which have increased in comparison to the last election. They may now demand from Netanyahu to restrict the space for secular Israelis – for example on Shabbat.
Netanyahu is to be heard in a few months by Israel’s Attorney General – it is about several possible corruption cases. Netanyahu wants to continue governing in the case of an indictment. His followers will probably keep him faithful.
„I’m very happy about the election result,“ says a man in Tel Aviv. „Netanyahu is a great leader, Israel is a strong and rich country, and I think things are going uphill.“
In mathematical terms, the result is open
Not all votes are counted yet, and even Netanyahu rival Gantz can form a coalition purely mathematically. However, US President Donald Trump expects Netanyahu to remain prime minister. His victory is a good sign of peace.
Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat, on the other hand, said the Israelis chose to go with the occupation – and against peace.
Also continue to run as a defendant
Netanyahu’s Likud could also have wrested votes from smaller parties – such as the newly formed party from former Education Minister Naftali Bennet and Justice Minister Ajelet Schaked – which according to preliminary counts will not move into the Knesset.
But other possible coalition partners make it to parliament, including two ultra-Orthodox parties, which have increased in comparison to the last election. They may now demand from Netanyahu to restrict the space for secular Israelis – for example on Shabbat.
Netanyahu is to be heard in a few months by Israel’s Attorney General – it is about several possible corruption cases. Netanyahu wants to continue governing in the case of an indictment. His followers will probably keep him faithful.
„I’m very happy about the election result,“ says a man in Tel Aviv. „Netanyahu is a great leader, Israel is a strong and rich country, and I think things are going uphill.“
In mathematical terms, the result is open
Not all votes are counted yet, and even Netanyahu rival Gantz can form a coalition purely mathematically. However, US President Donald Trump expects Netanyahu to remain prime minister. His victory is a good sign of peace.
Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat, on the other hand, said the Israelis chose to go with the occupation – and against peace.
