Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid admitted to the election, recognizing former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as his successor, Lapid’s office confirmed to Fox News.
According to a statement from his office, Lapid has already called Netanyahu to congratulate him. Lapid told Netanyahu that he had instructed his office to make arrangements for the handover of power.
“The state of Israel comes before any political consideration,” Lapid said. “I wish Netanyahu success, for the sake of the people of Israel and the state of Israel.”
Lapid had served as an interim or interim prime minister since June, when former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett lost his majority and the government dissolved. This set the stage for this week’s elections, and after Netanyahu got a sufficient majority, after Netanyahu got a sufficient majority, Lapid announced the Likud Party leader winner.
NETANYAHU COMPLETES RETURN AS ISRAEL VOTES FOR THE NEW GOVERNMENT
FILE – Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid makes opening statement as he chairs weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, October 2, 2022. Israeli Prime Minister said Tuesday October 11 that the country has reached a “historic deal” with neighboring Lebanon beyond the shared maritime border after months of US-mediated negotiations. (AP Photo / Maya Alleruzzo, File)
(Dalati Nohra via AP)
Official final results are not expected until Thursday.
This will be Netanyahu’s third term as prime minister. He first served from 1996 to 1999, and then again from 2009 to 2021.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives for a weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem on Sunday, April 29, 2018. (Photo AP / Sebastian Scheiner)
(Photo AP / Sebastian Scheiner)
CANDIDATE LIKUD FORECAST NETANYAHU WILL BE THE NEXT PM ISRAEL, HELP KEEP IRAN RESPONSIBLE
Former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon spoke to Fox News earlier this week about the future of US-Israel relations should Netanyahu win. Danon, who was on the Likud candidate list, could probably be a member of the Knesset in the new government.
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“I think if we win, if Netanyahu returns to his position as prime minister, we will be able to put the Iran issue at the forefront and we expect our colleagues in the US to face this threat too,” Danon said.
Danon did not believe that the mid-term elections in the United States would have a huge impact, as the two countries already have “a strong bond”.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
