Benjamin Netanyahu has won Israel’s elections defeating Prime Minister Yair Lapid who has since called his predecessor to congratulate him.
Netanyau is returning to power after being dislodged in 2021 by a coalition of the opposition led by Lapid.
Israel’s Central Election Committee on Thursday announced the final allocation of seats for the 25th Knesset, giving Netanyahu and his likely political allies 64 seats in the legislature, enough for a governing majority.
President Isaac Herzog will begin consultations with politicians on forming a new government after results are officially certified on November 9, he said Wednesday,CNN reported.
A Netanyahu return to the head of government could spell fundamental shifts to Israeli society. A Netanyahu government would almost certainly include the newly ascendant Jewish nationalist Religious Zionism/Jewish Power alliance, whose leaders include Itamar Ben Gvir, once convicted for inciting racism and supporting terrorism.
Netanyahu he doesn’t want a government with the Muslim Brotherhood, who support terrorism, deny the existence of Israel and are pretty hostile to the United States, he told CNN.
Netanyahu allies have talked about making changes to the judicial system. That could put an end to Netanyahu’s own corruption trial, where he has pleaded not guilty.
The 72-year-old leader who faces a series of bribery, fraud and breach of trust charges, has denied all accusations, attacking those who seek to prosecute him.
If convicted, he could go to jail.