Israelis went to the polls this week, essentially re-electing incumbent Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu to a fifth term. He now has 28 days to form a coalition government in order to take a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Mr Netanyahu’s Likud Party took 35 seats, the same number as its closest rival, the centrist Blue & White Party of former IDF chief-of-staff Benny Gantz. With five right-wing parties between them filling a majority 65 seats, the odds are on Likud leading the resultant coalition.
The victory is made all the more remarkable considering the PM is currently facing indictment charges in three separate cases (MEES, 1 March). (CONTINUED - 236 WORDS)