{"id":606661,"date":"2019-04-10T07:05:42","date_gmt":"2019-04-10T07:05:42","guid":{"rendered":"
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\"Prime<\/p>\n
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\"Prime<\/div>\n

PM Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to secure a record fifth term after almost complete results from Israel\u2019s election suggest a new right-wing coalition.<\/p>\n

His Likud party is expected to finish with a similar number of seats as ex-military chief Benny Gantz\u2019s centrist Blue and White alliance.<\/p>\n

But Likud and right-wing allies are set to be the largest bloc with 65 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, local media said.<\/p>\n

The 69-year-old premier is facing corruption allegations.<\/p>\n

However, the election result means he could become Israel\u2019s longest-serving prime minister later this year, overtaking Israel\u2019s founding father David Ben-Gurion.<\/p>\n

Exit polls had predicted a tight race with no clear winner, prompting both Mr Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to claim victory on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be a right-wing government, but I will be prime minister for all,\u201d Mr Netanyahu told cheering supporters.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very touched that the people of Israel gave me their vote of confidence for the fifth time, and an even bigger vote of confidence than previous elections.<\/p>\n

\u201cI intend to be the prime minister of all citizens of Israel. Right, left, Jews, non-Jews. All of Israel\u2019s citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n

No party has ever won a majority in Israel\u2019s 120-seat parliament and it has always had coalition governments.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the background?<\/h2>\n

Mr Netanyahu, 69, put forward tough messages on security ahead of the vote and it soon became one of the election\u2019s key issues.<\/p>\n

He also made a significant announcement in the final days of the campaign, suggesting a new government would annex Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.<\/p>\n

The settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.<\/p>\n

Mr Netanyahu denied the allegations of corruption against him, saying he was a victim of a political \u201cwitch hunt\u201d designed to influence the election.<\/p>\n

In a separate controversy on Tuesday, Israeli Arab politicians condemned his Likud party for sending 1,200 observers equipped with hidden body cameras to polling stations in Arab communities.<\/p>\n

The Arab alliance, Hadash-Taal, said it was an \u201cillegal\u201d action that sought to intimidate Arabs. Likud said it wanted to ensure only \u201cvalid votes\u201d were cast.<\/p>\n

Mr Netanyahu\u2019s main challenger, Mr Gantz, is a retired lieutenant-general who formed the Blue and White in February, promising to unite a country that had \u201clost its way\u201d.<\/p>\n

The 59-year-old former chief of staff of the Israeli military rivalled Mr Netanyahu\u2019s tough stance on security and promised cleaner politics.<\/p>\n

Mr Gantz\u2019s campaign platform referred to \u201cseparation\u201d from the Palestinians but did not specifically mention them having an independent state. It also called for continued control over the Jordan Valley and retaining West Bank settlement blocs.<\/p>\n

Source: BBC<\/strong><\/p>\n

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