Netanyahu Returns to Power

Former Israeli prime minister and current opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu is poised to return to power after near-final election results showed his conservative coalition winning a majority in the country's parliament.

Netanyahu lost power in 2021, after a coalition of left-wing, center-right, and Arab political groups agreed to a power-sharing structure that produced a one-vote majority in the 120-seat Knesset. The ruling government collapsed in June, triggering the country's fifth election in four years. Netanyahu's return to power relies on a coalition between his conservative Likud party, which is projected to win the most seats at 32, and smaller religious and nationalist parties. The bloc is currently pegged to win 64 seats, providing a larger majority than recent governments.

A number of smaller political leaders are expected to assume prominent positions, including Itamar Ben-Gvir, who was accused of exacerbating clashes with Palestinians last summer. Reports suggest Ben-Gvir is on track to become public safety minister.

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