Despite Tie, Bibi-Led Right Victorious

Stand for Israel  |  April 10, 2019

As votes were tallied in Israel, it became clear that Benjamin Netanyahu had secured his fifth term as Israeli Prime Minister (his fourth consecutive). JNS’ Sean Savage reports that despite tying for number of seats in the Knesset with Benny Gantz, the IDF general who was his chief rival in this election, Netanyahu will continue to lead the Jewish state:

With nearly all the votes counted as of Wednesday morning, Benjamin Netanyahu will likely remain as prime minister, despite his Likud Party coming in a virtual tie with Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz.

With 95 percent of poll sites reporting, both Likud and Blue and White were in a virtual tie—35 seats a piece. However, by virtue of a strong showing amid allies on the right, such as religious parties like Shas and United Torah Judaism—and to a lesser extent United Right, Yisrael Beytenu and Kulanu—Netanyahu will likely have the necessary seats to easily form a right-wing coalition government…

During his campaign, Netanyahu touted his close friendship with U.S. President Donald Trump. In the days and weeks leading up to the April 9 election, Netanyahu was boosted by the Trump administration’s decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty in the Golan Heights and labeling Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps as a terrorist organization.

Additionally, his success in cultivating new ties with countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa, coupled with Israel’s phenomenal economic growth, were reasons to give him another term…