Elections in Israel: Lapid congratulates Netanyahu on his election victory

With nearly 99 percent of the votes counted, it is clear that the hard-line veteran politician Netanyahu will regain power in Israel. Even before it became clear, media reports in the country said he had launched government investigations.

When just over 90 percent of the votes were counted, Netanyahu and his supporting parties had about 65 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, and those numbers appear to be tentatively holding.

“Prime Minister Yair Lapid congratulated opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu on his election victory, and informed him that he (Lapid) instructed his entire office to prepare for the extradition,” Lapid’s press secretary wrote in a statement.

The ultra-nationalists are taking over

Besides Netanyahu, there are ultra-nationalist and ultra-religious parties that are ready to support him as prime minister. Decisive is the political bloc led by the ultra-nationalist Itamar Ben Gvir, who had an unexpectedly great success in the elections.

Other parties willing to support Netanyahu’s coalition include the ultra-Orthodox Shas and United Torah Judaism.

Even before government negotiations actually began, the Jerusalem Post was rigorous in its analysis:

“For Netanyahu, Shas and United Torah Judaism are like dream coalition partners. Itamar Ben Gvir is an Israeli diplomat’s nightmare.”

But Ben Juffair will gain influence. But 14 seats in the Knesset, according to preliminary calculations, becomes an important strength factor.

The leader of the victorious party

Party leader Ben Gvir was confident of victory:

It is time for a full right-wing government. It’s time for you to be home rule in our country.”

While Israel awaits the final election result, the fact remains that the 73-year-old Netanyahu is still charged with corruption in an ongoing trial.