Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top

World

Netanyahu looks to form right-wing government after victory

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu kisses his wife Sara on election night, celebrating a victory that puts him on a path to become the country’s longest-serving prime minister © AFP / Jack GUEZ

Jerusalem, ZZZ, Apr 9 – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to form a right-wing governing coalition on Thursday after securing victory in a high-stakes Israeli election despite a strong challenge from a centrist alliance.

The results from Tuesday’s vote came despite corruption allegations against the 69-year-old premier and kept him on course to become Israel’s longest-serving prime minister later this year.

The allegations are likely to play an important role in coalition negotiations as many analysts expect Netanyahu to demand pledges from potential partners to agree to remain in his government if he is indicted.

Netanyahu will rely in part on politicians of the nationalist right opposed to a Palestinian state to put together his government.

His current government is already seen as the most right-wing in Israel’s history, and his next is expected to be similar if not even further to the right.

Netanyahu himself, in a campaign pledge just three days before polling day, vowed to begin annexing settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Applying sovereignty in the West Bank on a large scale could effectively end remaining hopes for a two-state solution with the Palestinians.

Netanyahu’s pledge was widely seen as an appeal to the far right, and it appears to have worked.

He boosted the number of parliamentary seats for his Likud, while smaller, far-right parties struggled.

The Likud said late on Wednesday that Netanyahu “will form a right-wing government and he is already in advanced negotiations with the national camp partners.”

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Netanyahu had no public events scheduled for Thursday apart from one that will likely give him another boost: Israel is expected to land its first spacecraft on the moon late Thursday, and Netanyahu was planning to watch from the control room.

– ‘Advanced negotiations’ –

Throughout the campaign, Netanyahu highlighted his bond with US President Donald Trump, who has swung US policy sharply in Israel’s favour and openly backed the prime minister.

Netanyahu, who has been accused of damaging Israel’s social fabric with his divisive brand of populism, tells supporters he will lead a right-wing government but be “prime minister for all” © AFP / Jack GUEZ

On Wednesday, Trump said the incumbent’s election to a fifth term gives the White House’s long-awaited peace plan, expected to be released in the coming weeks, a “better chance”.

It was not clear what he meant.

He also tweeted a picture of a Netanyahu supporter waving a Trump flag and telephoned the premier to offer congratulations.

The election was seen as a referendum on the veteran prime minister, who has built a reputation as guarantor of Israel’s security and economic growth, but whose divisive right-wing populism and alleged corruption led to calls for change.

The results reflected his deft political skills, Israel’s shift to the right and wide satisfaction with Netanyahu’s achievements, but also the fact that many voters are fed up with him.

The centrist Blue and White alliance put together by ex-military chief Benny Gantz will finish with a similar number of seats to the Likud even though it came together less than two months before the polls.

Gantz’s alliance, which conceded defeat on Wednesday night, however could not peel away enough right-wing votes to unseat Netanyahu.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The results showed that the Likud together with other right-wing parties allied to the prime minister would hold around 65 seats in the 120-seat parliament.

Final official results are expected to be announced by Friday.

They leave President Reuven Rivlin, who must ask one of the candidates to form a government, with little choice but to pick Netanyahu following consultations with party heads next week.

Intensive coalition negotiations could drag on for days or even weeks.

– ‘Make life bitter’ –

Gantz, a 59-year-old former paratrooper, mounted a strong challenge by brandishing his security credentials while pledging to undo damage he says Netanyahu has inflicted on the country with divisive politics.

Retired Israeli general Benny Gantz praised his alliance for a ‘historic accomplishment’ © AFP / GALI TIBBON

“We respect the decision of the people,” Gantz said Wednesday night.

Former finance minister Yair Lapid, who co-led Blue and White, vowed to “make life bitter for the Netanyahu government”.

The vote had been expected to be close as Netanyahu faced potential corruption charges.

Fighting for his political life, he spent the weeks ahead of the election campaigning furiously to energise his right-wing base.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Netanyahu has been premier for a total of more than 13 years.

But “King Bibi,” as some have called him, now faces the prospect of becoming the first sitting prime minister to be indicted.

The attorney general has announced he intends to charge Netanyahu with bribery, fraud and breach of trust pending an upcoming hearing.

About The Author

Advertisement

More on Capital News