Netanyahu on course to return as Israel’s prime minister

Benjamin Netanyahu is on the verge of securing a sixth term in office as the prime minister of Israel.

According to the exit polls, with about 86 percent of the votes counted on Wednesday, Netanyahu’s right-wing ‘Likud’ — in alliance with religious Zionism/Jewish Power, Shas, and United Torah Judaism — is set to win 65 of the 120-member knesset (parliament).

Exit polls are projections based on interviews with voters, as official results are expected to be announced on Friday. 

Speaking at his polling unit in Jerusalem on Tuesday, the former prime minister said his government is going to fight terrorism. 

“We don’t want a government with the Muslim brotherhood, who support terrorism, deny the existence of Israel, and are pretty hostile to the United States. That is what we are going to bring,” he told CNN.

Netanyahu first served as prime minister from 1996 to 1999, then also from 2009 to 2021.

TheCable reported in 2020 how Netanyahu became the first sitting leader to face trial in the country’s history.

The prime minister was indicted on three cases involving alleged bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.