Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday appeared set to return to power as head of Israel’s most right-wing government ever after winning this week’s national election, with the current caretaker prime minister conceding defeat.
Final results showed Netanyahu’s Likud Party and its ultranationalist and religious partners capturing a solid majority in Israel’s Knesset, or parliament.
The strong showing promised to end the political gridlock that has paralyzed Israel for the past three and a half years.
But the planned agenda of the new government expected to take office—including an overhaul of the country’s legal system and a tough line against the Palestinians—promises to further polarize a deeply divided nation and risks antagonizing Israel’s closest allies abroad.
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