Benjamin Netanyahu is set to return as the Prime Minister of Israel. His right-wing coalition is the largest block in the Knesset after Tuesday's polls. Priyanka Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Netanyahu set to return

Benjamin Netanyahu is all set to return as the Prime Minister of Israel. His party received over a million votes. He's said to be at the helm of the most right-wing government in Israel's history.

Israel: Netanyahu set to return as the Prime Minister; Lapid congratulates him

As many as 26 years after being elected as Israel's prime minister for the first time,&nbsp;Benjamin Netanyahu is gearing up for another tenure in the office. After making a stunning comeback in the election,&nbsp;Netanyahu, more fondly known as&nbsp;King Bibi has started coalition talks to form the government.&nbsp;Reports suggest that&nbsp;Netanyahu is set to form one of the most right-wing governments in history with his religious and ultranationalist allies.&nbsp;

Reportedly, after securing a decisive majority in Israel's fifth election in four years, Netanyahu has instructed&nbsp;Yariv Levin, his right-hand man to open talks with&nbsp;Religious Zionism and two ultra-Orthodox parties over portfolios. 
 
Bezalel Smotric and&nbsp;Itamar Ben-Gvir are expected to receive important ministerial berths&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/benjamin-netanyahu-israels-longest-serving-pm-with-his-share-of-scandals-530667">Read more:&nbsp;Benjamin Netanyahu: Israel's longest-serving PM with his share of scandals</a>

Netanyahu led his Likud Party to become the largest political group in Knesset with 32 seats. Together with his allies, the Netanyahu-led right religious bloc has 64 seats in the 120-member Knesset.&nbsp;

This election caps the country’s ongoing political instability. Last year, Netanyahu was ousted as the country’s longest-serving leader after 12 years.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-elections-2022-benjamin-netanyahus-right-wing-bloc-heads-for-majority-530387">WATCH |&nbsp;Israel elections 2022: Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc heads for majority</a>

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Earlier this week on Thursday,&nbsp;Israel's incumbent Prime Minister Yair Lapid conceded defeat and congratulated Netanyahu for the victory.&nbsp;

“The state of Israel comes before any political consideration. I wish Netanyahu success, for the sake of the people of Israel and the state of Israel,” said the interim prime minister.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-election-netanyahu-makes-a-comeback-pm-lapid-concedes-defeat-531006">Read more:&nbsp;Israel election: Netanyahu makes a comeback, PM Yair Lapid concedes defeat</a>

Furthermore, a statement by his office said that following the results, Lapid also "instructed his entire office to prepare an organised transition of power.”

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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As many as 26 years after being elected as Israel's prime minister for the first time, Benjamin Netanyahu is gearing up for another tenure in the office. After making a stunning comeback in the election, Netanyahu, more fondly known as King Bibi has started coalition talks to form the government.

As many as 26 years after being elected as Israel's prime minister for the first time, Benjamin Netanyahu is gearing up for another tenure in the office. After making a stunning comeback in the election, Netanyahu, more fondly known as King Bibi has started coalition talks to form the government. Reports suggest that Netanyahu is set to form one of the most right-wing governments in history with his religious and ultranationalist allies. Reportedly, after securing a decisive majority in Israel's fifth election in four years, Netanyahu has instructed Yariv Levin, his right-hand man to open talks with Religious Zionism and two ultra-Orthodox parties over portfolios. Bezalel Smotric and Itamar Ben-Gvir are expected to receive important ministerial berths Read more: Benjamin Netanyahu: Israel's longest-serving PM with his share of scandals Netanyahu led his Likud Party to become the largest political group in Knesset with 32 seats. Together with his allies, the Netanyahu-led right religious bloc has 64 seats in the 120-member Knesset. This election caps the country’s ongoing political instability. Last year, Netanyahu was ousted as the country’s longest-serving leader after 12 years. WATCH | Israel elections 2022: Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc heads for majority × Earlier this week on Thursday, Israel's incumbent Prime Minister Yair Lapid conceded defeat and congratulated Netanyahu for the victory. “The state of Israel comes before any political consideration. I wish Netanyahu success, for the sake of the people of Israel and the state of Israel,” said the interim prime minister. Read more: Israel election: Netanyahu makes a comeback, PM Yair Lapid concedes defeat Furthermore, a statement by his office said that following the results, Lapid also "instructed his entire office to prepare an organised transition of power.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Israel: Former PM Benjamin Netanyahu starts coalition talks to form the government

Benjamin Netanyahu is no stranger to Israeli politics. The veteran politician was first elected Prime Minister of the country way back in 1996 and has served in that position for 15 years – 12 in a stretch. While he was ousted from the position in 2021, Netanyahu seems on the verge of becoming the PM once again as the rightwing religious bloc took a huge lead in the ongoing general elections.&nbsp;

The 73-year-old, also known as King Bibi, completed his master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States and quickly became a well-known face on American television for speaking in favour of Israel in various debates while serving as a diplomat abroad. &nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-north-korea-covertly-supplying-russia-with-artillery-shells-530665" hreflang="en">US says North Korea 'covertly supplying' Russia with artillery shells</a>

The transition to mainstream politics came quite smoothly for him as the 1995 assassination of then PM Yitzhak Rabin proved to be a huge roadblock for the Israel-Palestine peace talks and the Netanyahu-led alliance swept the elections one year later to make him the youngest PM in the nation’s history.&nbsp;

Netanyahu became well known for his hard stance on the Palestinian conflict and during his first speech at the US Congress, he made it clear that his position will&nbsp;be “one of power, not compromise”.&nbsp;

While Israel continued to grow as both an economic as well as military power, the regime faced criticism for their handling of the Palestine situation as well as widespread corruption. During his 12-year-tenure, the politician also faced pressure from the international community for his crackdown on protestors.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-launches-23-missiles-and-100-artillery-rounds-south-korea-retaliates-530556">North Korea launches 23 missiles in a single day, South Korea retaliates</a>

However, public support continued to keep him in power and on multiple occasions, the coalitions led by Netanyahu emerged as the winners due to anti-Palestine and anti-Arab sentiments.&nbsp;

In 2019, he became the first reigning PM to face a criminal prosecution following three major corruption charges and that proved to be his undoing. As Israel kept holding elections almost every year following the scandal, he failed to secure a majority in 2021 and was ultimately replaced by Naftali Bennett.&nbsp;

With Netanyahu once again becoming the favourite to become Prime Minister, the corruption cases can come back to haunt him. The former PM will not be able to regain his position without a clean chit from the courts but the election victory once again established him as a force in Israeli politics.&nbsp;

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Benjamin Netanyahu is no stranger to Israeli politics. The veteran politician was first elected Prime Minister of the country way back in 1996 and has served in that position for 15 years – 12 in a stretch.

Benjamin Netanyahu is no stranger to Israeli politics. The veteran politician was first elected Prime Minister of the country way back in 1996 and has served in that position for 15 years – 12 in a stretch. While he was ousted from the position in 2021, Netanyahu seems on the verge of becoming the PM once again as the rightwing religious bloc took a huge lead in the ongoing general elections. The 73-year-old, also known as King Bibi, completed his master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States and quickly became a well-known face on American television for speaking in favour of Israel in various debates while serving as a diplomat abroad. Also read | US says North Korea 'covertly supplying' Russia with artillery shells The transition to mainstream politics came quite smoothly for him as the 1995 assassination of then PM Yitzhak Rabin proved to be a huge roadblock for the Israel-Palestine peace talks and the Netanyahu-led alliance swept the elections one year later to make him the youngest PM in the nation’s history. Netanyahu became well known for his hard stance on the Palestinian conflict and during his first speech at the US Congress, he made it clear that his position will be “one of power, not compromise”. While Israel continued to grow as both an economic as well as military power, the regime faced criticism for their handling of the Palestine situation as well as widespread corruption. During his 12-year-tenure, the politician also faced pressure from the international community for his crackdown on protestors. Also read | North Korea launches 23 missiles in a single day, South Korea retaliates However, public support continued to keep him in power and on multiple occasions, the coalitions led by Netanyahu emerged as the winners due to anti-Palestine and anti-Arab sentiments. In 2019, he became the first reigning PM to face a criminal prosecution following three major corruption charges and that proved to be his undoing. As Israel kept holding elections almost every year following the scandal, he failed to secure a majority in 2021 and was ultimately replaced by Naftali Bennett. With Netanyahu once again becoming the favourite to become Prime Minister, the corruption cases can come back to haunt him. The former PM will not be able to regain his position without a clean chit from the courts but the election victory once again established him as a force in Israeli politics.

Benjamin Netanyahu: Israel's longest-serving PM with his share of scandals

The United States is concerned about threats from Iran against Saudi Arabia and will not hesitate to respond if necessary, a White House spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Thaw in relations? US says concerned about Iranian threats to Saudi Arabia

According to data released by Palestinian human rights organizations, as of May 2022, there were allegedly 4,700 Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons. Out of these, 32 women and 170 children are held in Israel Prison Service facilities. 640 are treated as administrative detainees. Let's take a deeper look at the Palestinian prisoner situation.

Explained | How many Palestinian prisoners are being held by Israel?

Thaw in relations? U.S. says concerned about Iranian threats to Saudi

According to the latest exit polls, former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on the course for victory in the elections, the polls give his his right-wing bloc slim majority over his opponents.

Israel elections 2022: Benjamin Netanyahu's party starts celebrating even before the final count

Israel elections 2022: Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc heads for majority

The latest exit polls says that former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on the course for victory in the elections, the polls give his his right-wing bloc slim majority over his opponents.

WION Dispatch: Israel's Right bloc poised to get 65 seats; Lapid says 'Will wait for results'

Israel sees its fifth election in about four years. Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is looking to return to power. Will Yair Lapid be able to stop him? Priyanka Sharma tells you more.

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WION Fineprint | What to expect from the Israel elections

Before the 1 November&nbsp;election, all of the final television network polls indicated that Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-right coalition would come up just short of a majority in the 120-seat Knesset (the unicameral legislature of Israel).

An opposition leader could build a coalition and take back power with the slightest swing in his favour, according to polls that were shown on Channels 12 and 13 news on Friday and Kan public television on Thursday.

Watch | Israel Elections 2022 | Induction of new leader may take 6-7 weeks: Israel envoy to India

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These polls all assigned the Netanyahu-led group 60 seats. According to all of the surveys, the present coalition parties won 56 seats, while the non-aligned Hadash-Ta'al party with a majority of Arabs won 4 seats. This is in line with earlier polls that were broadcast over the past several weeks.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-the-newly-elected-president-of-brazil-with-a-chequered-past-529734">Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva: The newly elected president of Brazil with a chequered past</a>

As per Israeli election rules, publication of surveys are prohibited in the&nbsp;immediate days before the election. These surveys are not consistently accurate,&nbsp;but influence both politicians and voters.

According to the three <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-revamping-user-verification-process-says-musk-529730">polls</a>, Netanyahu's Likud was expected to secure 30-31 seats and emerge as the dominant force.

The far-right Religious Zionism, allied with Netanyahu's coalition, was anticipated to be the third-largest party in the Knesset with 14–15 members, trailing Prime Minister Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid by 24–27 seats.

Religious Zionism, a far-right coalition led by former minister Bezalel Smotrich and including the anti-LGBT Noam faction and MK Itamar Ben Gvir's Otzma Yehudit, has recently risen in the polls, largely at the expense of Likud, though Netanyahu's party has made gains at the expense of its partners in the final weeks leading up to previous elections.

In all three votes, Religious Zionism was followed by National Unity, which won 10–11 seats. Defense Minister Benny Gantz's Blue and White, Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar's New Hope, and political newcomer Gadi Eisenkot, a former IDF chief of staff like Gantz, make up the center-right slate.

Gantz has promoted himself as a potential prime ministerial candidate, although his chances of putting together a coalition seem to be poor.

Shas and United Torah Judaism, two ultra-Orthodox parties that support Netanyahu, regularly received 8 and 7 seats, respectively, in all three polls.

The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysian-authorities-raid-lgbt-halloween-party-detain-attendees-for-cross-dressing-529574"> religious-right group</a> led by Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu will come up just short of winning a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, according to all of the final television network surveys conducted prior to the election on November 1.

It was projected that the right-wing secularist Yisrael Beytenu would gain 5–6 seats, followed by the center–left Labor, 5–6; the left–wing Meretz, 4-5; and Ra'am, 4.

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All three polls showed that Ayelet Shaked's Jewish Home and the Arab nationalist Balad fell short of the 3.25% electoral threshold, however Balad was placed at 2.7% in the Channel 13 poll.

The upcoming election, the fifth since April 2019, was called following the June breakdown of the power-sharing administration led by then-prime minister Naftali Bennett and Lapid, which had barely managed to remove Netanyahu in June 2021 but had survived for a year.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Before the 1 November election, all of the final television network polls indicated that Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-right coalition would come up just short of a majority in the 120-seat Knesset (the unicameral legislature of Israel).

Before the 1 November election, all of the final television network polls indicated that Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-right coalition would come up just short of a majority in the 120-seat Knesset (the unicameral legislature of Israel). An opposition leader could build a coalition and take back power with the slightest swing in his favour, according to polls that were shown on Channels 12 and 13 news on Friday and Kan public television on Thursday. Watch | Israel Elections 2022 | Induction of new leader may take 6-7 weeks: Israel envoy to India × These polls all assigned the Netanyahu-led group 60 seats. According to all of the surveys, the present coalition parties won 56 seats, while the non-aligned Hadash-Ta'al party with a majority of Arabs won 4 seats. This is in line with earlier polls that were broadcast over the past several weeks. Also read | Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva: The newly elected president of Brazil with a chequered past As per Israeli election rules, publication of surveys are prohibited in the immediate days before the election. These surveys are not consistently accurate, but influence both politicians and voters. According to the three polls, Netanyahu's Likud was expected to secure 30-31 seats and emerge as the dominant force. The far-right Religious Zionism, allied with Netanyahu's coalition, was anticipated to be the third-largest party in the Knesset with 14–15 members, trailing Prime Minister Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid by 24–27 seats. Religious Zionism, a far-right coalition led by former minister Bezalel Smotrich and including the anti-LGBT Noam faction and MK Itamar Ben Gvir's Otzma Yehudit, has recently risen in the polls, largely at the expense of Likud, though Netanyahu's party has made gains at the expense of its partners in the final weeks leading up to previous elections. In all three votes, Religious Zionism was followed by National Unity, which won 10–11 seats. Defense Minister Benny Gantz's Blue and White, Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar's New Hope, and political newcomer Gadi Eisenkot, a former IDF chief of staff like Gantz, make up the center-right slate. Gantz has promoted himself as a potential prime ministerial candidate, although his chances of putting together a coalition seem to be poor. Shas and United Torah Judaism, two ultra-Orthodox parties that support Netanyahu, regularly received 8 and 7 seats, respectively, in all three polls. The religious-right group led by Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu will come up just short of winning a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, according to all of the final television network surveys conducted prior to the election on November 1. It was projected that the right-wing secularist Yisrael Beytenu would gain 5–6 seats, followed by the center–left Labor, 5–6; the left–wing Meretz, 4-5; and Ra'am, 4. Also read | Biden votes early in Delaware for US midterm elections All three polls showed that Ayelet Shaked's Jewish Home and the Arab nationalist Balad fell short of the 3.25% electoral threshold, however Balad was placed at 2.7% in the Channel 13 poll. The upcoming election, the fifth since April 2019, was called following the June breakdown of the power-sharing administration led by then-prime minister Naftali Bennett and Lapid, which had barely managed to remove Netanyahu in June 2021 but had survived for a year. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Israel elections: Final TV polls indicate that the Netanyahu bloc is one seat short of a majority

Israel is all set to hold its fifth elections in less than four years on Tuesday hoping to break the deadlock between former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yair Lapid. Israel has seen four inconclusive elections since 2019 that delivered two short lived coalition governments.

Israel to hold fifth election in four years: It's Benjamin Netanyahu vs Yair Lapid

Israel is all set to hold its fifth elections in less than four years on Tuesday hoping to break the deadlock between former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yair Lapid. Israel has seen four inconclusive elections since 2019 that delivered two short lived coalition governments. WION's correspondent Jodie Cohen brings in more information on this.

Israel Elections 2022 | Induction of new leader may take 6-7 weeks: Israel envoy to India

Israel Elections: Former PM Benjamin Netanyahu vying a comeback

Israel is heading for polls again. It is the fifth election in four years. Former PM Benjamin Netanyahu poised to get more votes. However, as per opinion polls, no party is expected to win sweeping mandate. So, Who will end up as Israel's Kingmaker?

WION Fineprint| Israel Elections 2022: Who will end up as Israel's Kingmaker?

Israel is heading for polls again. It is the fifth election in four years. Will Netanyahu be able to make a comeback? Watch this video to find out.

Israel's fifth election in four years: Who will end up as Kingmaker?

Lebanon and Israel have signed a historic Maritime border deal. The deal will let both nations exploit oilfields in the Mediterranean. Ghadi Francis tells you more on #TheWestAsiaPost

The West Asia Post | Lebanon and Israel sign maritime border deal

The UN has called this year the deadliest for the West Bank since 2006. As Israel's elections approach, military raids have increased. Ghadi Francis tells you more on #TheWestAsiaPost

The West Asia Post | Violence in Palestine on the rise

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