Israel's Netanyahu Retains Grip on Power Despite Graft Probes
- Results will ripple across the region at a volatile time
- Win could make Netanyahu Israel’s longest-serving premier
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Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu looks set to sail to a fifth term as prime minister after a bruising election campaign against a popular former military chief, his muscular brand of nationalism and global stature eclipsing doubts about his personal integrity.
Netanyahu’s Likud party and retired general Benny Gantz’s Blue and White bloc each won 35 of parliament’s 120 seats. But together with other right-wing and religious partners, a Netanyahu-led bloc secured 65 seats, according to a tally of 97 percent of votes, Israeli media reported. Shortly after polls closed, several of the prime minister’s current partners announced that they would recommend to President Reuven Rivlin that Netanyahu form the next government.