He’s nicknamed “the magician” for his ability to escape political calamity. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hold on power appeared precarious Wednesday as nearly complete election results showed that his conservative Likud party and its allies fell short of a parliamentary majority.
With 95% of the votes counted, the rival Blue and White party, led by Benny Gantz, fought Netanyahu’s party to a virtual draw. Gantz and his center-left political partners did not garner a majority either, but the 60-year-old former military chief might be better positioned than the prime minister to strike the necessary deals to forge a coalition government.
Most likely, weeks of difficult coalition negotiations lie ahead, and a final official tally is probably still days away, with absentee ballots still to be counted.
Yossi Verter, a political analyst for the Haaretz newspaper, wrote that Netanyahu, perhaps the ultimate survivor in Israeli politics, had never been “as close to losing power, to a trial and perhaps even to prison down the road.”
“It’s very hard to see how he can form the next government,” Verter wrote.
Trump — who in the past has eagerly endorsed Netanyahu’s narrative of a warm personal friendship between the two leaders — offered a coolly distancing observation when reporters asked him about the prime minister’s prospects
“Our relationship is with Israel,” the president said, adding that the two had not spoken about the inconclusive vote result.
Isn’t Haaretz a leftist rag? I think it’s the New York Times of the middle east. Not super familiar with it but they’ve been predicting Netanyahu’s doom since before the election.
In the meantime Iran is flying killer drones and nuking up.
Sorry. Fake meshugganah. However you spell it.
Need a conservative Jew who knows israeli politics and media to weigh in here.
But all we gots is deplorable rednecks and hillbillies.
Hahaha
“Our relationship is with Israel”
Excellent response, Mr. Presdent!
The absent T ballots may be enough to get Bibi over the line.
All I know about the other guy is the Israeli Arab vote came out in mass for him which means he is probably a blame Israel first kind of guy or and Israeli version of an American Democrat. AKA weapons grade stupid.
Vote for me and I’ll set you free!
The Undisputed Truth
PHenry – – Watch who you’re callin’ “Hill”.
@hillbilly fuster
I notice that you have no problem with ‘redneck deplorable’ though. Hardy har har.
@PHenry ~ Hey! I resemble that remark!
it won’t be settled till the last leftist checks the trunk of his car for ballots
Proof positive that the Jews are just as dumb as everybody else.
They may have been “chosen” but, as a “stiff-necked” people, they have no problem fucking up every chance they get.
Good luck with Gantz.
izlamo delenda est …
Even with a second vote, I’m afraid this cat has used his #9.
The A-rabs are coming.