Apr 2019. The Israel Elections

April 2019. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu looks all but certain to stay in office for a record fifth term after his biggest election challenger, Benny Gantz, admitted defeat on Wednesday. With almost all votes counted, both men’s parties are neck and neck. But a coalition between Mr Netanyahu’s Likud and smaller right-wing and religious parties could form a 65 seat majority in the 120-seat Knesset. US President Donald Trump has already offered his congratulations. Mr Netanyahu tweeted that the president had called him from Air Force One - the US presidential aircraft - on Wednesday. If he forms a new governing coalition, Mr Netanyahu would be on course to become Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, overtaking the country’s founding father David Ben-Gurion. However, he could be indicted in three Corruption cases in the coming months.