Array
Long-serving Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu is returning to the post of prime minister for the third time, as he is positioned to form a far-right governing coalition after his conservative bloc won a majority in this week’s national elections, according to near-final vote tallies.
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s office said Thursday he has conceded defeat to Netanyahu, who Lapid congratulated in a statement.
“The state of Israel comes before any political consideration,” Lapid said. “I wish Netanyahu success, for the sake of the people of Israel and the State of Israel.”
Netanyahu’s ability to secure a majority governing coalition is expected to stabilize years of political indecisiveness in the country, where voters have gone to the polls five times in under four years.
But Netanyahu’s return to power is mired in controversy, occurring while he is still standing trial in three corruption cases in which he faces up to 10 years in prison. His victory also required him to build on an alliance with far-right parties criticized for their treatment of Israel’s Arab minority population, and further inflaming tensions with the Palestinians.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, the head of the far-right Otzma party, is expected to receive the profile of Interior Minister and has reportedly called for legislation that grants a sitting prime minister immunity from criminal proceedings.
