Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu Makes Comeback As PM Yair Lapid Concedes Defeat: Report

"We have won a huge vote of confidence from the people of Israel," BBC quoted Benjamin Netanyahu as saying.

Benjamin Netanyahu

Source : AFP

New Delhi: Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won a decisive victory, defeating PM Yair Lapid, in the country’s fifth election under four years, after the counting of almost all the votes on Thursday.

"We have won a huge vote of confidence from the people of Israel," BBC quoted Benjamin Netanyahu as saying.

#BREAKING
Lapid congratulates Netanyahu on Israel election 'victory': statement pic.twitter.com/wkmHjXM7xw

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) November 3, 2022

However, he will be dependent on the support of ultra-nationalist Religious Zionism party. As per reports, its leaders, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, have gained notoriety for using anti-Arab rhetoric and advocating the deportation of "disloyal" politicians or civilians.

Notably, Ben-Gvir was a follower of the late, ultra-nationalist Meir Kahane, whose organisation was banned in the country and designated as a terrorist group by the United States.

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Ben-Gvir himself has been convicted of inciting racism and supporting a terrorist outfit, news agency BBC reported.

According to political analysts, Netanyahu’s victory is in part due to his ability to unite a group of fractious right-wing parties, that allowed them to consolidate their votes.

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Hours before, when the exit polls predicted that Netanyahu's bloc would win 61 or 62 seats, people jumped up and down in jubilation, waving flags and chanting his nickname Bibi.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked PM Yair Lapid for his priority to the India-Israel strategic partnership. Taking to Twitter, he wrote, Thank you for your priority to the India-Israel strategic partnership. I hope to continue our fruitful exchange of ideas for the mutual benefit of our peoples."

Thank you @yairlapid for your priority to the India-Israel strategic partnership. I hope to continue our fruitful exchange of ideas for the mutual benefit of our peoples.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 3, 2022

73-year-old Benjamin Netanyahu is one of the country’s most controversial political figures, who is a strong supporter of Israel's settlement-building in the West Bank occupied since the 1967 Middle East war.

As per reports, Netanyahu is also currently on trial for alleged bribery, fraud and breach of trust - charges that he fiercely refutes.