Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was headed for an historic fifth term Wednesday after his chief rival conceded defeat in a hard-fought election.
With more than 97 percent of the vote counted, Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party and its traditional right-leaning allies were in command of a 65-55 majority in the 120-seat Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
Final results were expected to be announced Thursday.
The Israeli leader had fought a fierce race against Benny Gantz, a centrist ex-military chief of staff whose Blue and White party emerged as a viable alternative to “King Bibi,” as Netanyahu is called by fervent supporters.
Although Likud and Blue and White each won 35 seats, Netanyahu was the only one in position to form a coalition government.
“The right-wing bloc led by Likud clearly won,” an ebullient Netanyahu declared before dawn Wednesday. “I thank Israeli citizens for their trust.”
He said he will start forming a “a right-wing government, but I intend to be the prime minister of all Israeli citizens, right or left, Jews and non-Jews alike.”
President Trump called to congratulate Netanyahu, describing him as a “great ally” and “friend.”
“Everybody said, and I never made it a promise, ‘you can’t have peace in the Middle East with Israel and the Palestinians.’ But I think we have a chance, and I think now we have a better chance with Bibi having won,” Trump said.
With Wires