Defying odds Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu secured record fifth term at the helm despite an incombency wave and fraud charges following parliamentary elections of April 9, 2019. The main opposition candidate Benny Gantz conceded the defeat.

Netanyahu's Likud party tied with Gantz’s, Kahol Lavan party with 35 seats each in 120-seats Knesset (Israeli Parliament) In the final count however Likud party’s tally rose to 36. Almost all right-wing parties agreed to recommend to the President that Netanyahu form the next ruling coalition. Early on April 10, ‘Naftali Bennet and Ayelet Shaket’s Hayamin Hehadash party underwent a political roller coaster when it was announced by the Central Election Committee that it had passed the electoral threshold.

In the right-wing bloc, the parties that made it into the Knesset are Likud, United Torah Judaism, Shas, Yisrael Beiteinu, Unions of Right-Wing Parties and liCulama. In the center-left bloc, the parties that made it into the Knesset are Kahol Lavan, Hadash-Ta’al, Labour, Meretz and United Arab List Balad. Left-wing party Meretz got five seats. ....Read more