Netanyahu wins Israeli elections, to be sworn in for the fifth time as Prime

Tel Aviv: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again achieved resounding success, in the Israeli general elections which were keenly followed by the whole world. US President Donald Trump as well as Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi, congratulated the Israeli Prime Minister, the moment they learned that Netanyahu was all set to be re-elected as Israel’s Prime Minister. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babiš and President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades also welcomed the Netanyahu’s victory. Turkey expressed anguish over the result whereas, Palestine leaders and Hezbollah have criticised the victory.

General elections were held in Israel on Tuesday. There was 67% voting in the , and the results started to come in from Thursday, late in the evening. The Likud Party of Prime Minister Netanyahu won the highest, 35 seats. The other nationalist parties contesting elections in alliance with the Likud party won 30 seats. The Likud and the partner parties together won 65 seats and staked a claim to form the government.

Blue and White Party of Benny Gantz, the former defence chief, who was contesting the elections against Prime Minister Netanyahu, emerged as the second largest party with 33 seats. Gantz has accepted his defeat in the polls.

The whole world’s eyes were fixed on the Israeli elections. President Trump reacted that Netanyahu’s victory was just like his victory. The US President expressed confidence saying, “Everyone feels that peace cannot be established in the Gulf taking Israel and Palestine along. However, with this Netanyahu win, a good opportunity has been created for Gulf peace.”

Austrian Chancellor Kurz reacted that Netanyahu has succeeded in winning the confidence of the Israeli people in a big way. Czech Republic Prime Minister welcomed the Netanyahu victory and said that his country would soon start its embassy in Jerusalem. Also, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Salvini said that this is a victory for the Israeli people.

While the rightist leaders from all over the world welcomed Netanyahu’s victory, Turkey and the Palestinian leaders criticised the victory. Nevertheless, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu demanded that the Israeli Prime Minister should give up his aggressive stance and adopt an honest outlook, regarding the Palestinians. Palestinian leader Saeb Erekat accused saying “the win demonstrates that the Israeli people are still not ready for the two-nation option.” This victory strengthens the Israeli bond with the United States, and Netanyahu will adopt a more aggressive stance henceforth, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah claimed.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had warned that there is a threat to the Israeli security from the Palestinians trying for their nation, distancing from Israel, the extremist Palestinian organisations denying the Israeli right over Jerusalem, Iranian nuclear program and the dangerous Iranian activities in Syria. Netanyahu had also warned that in this scenario, Israel could not compromise on the security front. At the same time, the liberal groups in Israel were expressing displeasures over the policies of Prime Minister Netanyahu. However, the Israeli people have once again showed their confidence in the Likud party of Netanyahu and its alliance partners, through these elections.

Therefore, it is apparent that the effects of these Israeli elections will become visible very soon, at the local and international level, from the various reactions emanating from the world over.