Bibi Wins Again But Will he Form The Next Israeli Cabinet?

Published March 3rd, 2020 - 07:31 GMT

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed victory on Tuesday in Israel's general election, with exit polls putting the indicted premier in a strong position to form the next government.

Monday's election, Israel's third in less than a year, was called after inconclusive votes in April and September left the Jewish state in a political deadlock.

The central election committee said Tuesday morning they had completed counting all the votes, but the checks they were conducting meant the results would only be published in the late afternoon.

But exit polls by three networks gave Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party between 36 and 37 seats in Israel's 120-member parliament.

While Netanyahu will likely be tapped by President Reuven Rivlin to form a government, his path to a 61-seat majority remains unclear.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu kisses his wife Sara before addressing supporters at the Likud party campaign headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu claimed "a giant victory" in elections on March 3, boasting that his right-wing Likud party had defied "all expectations" in the country's third vote in less than a year. After exit polls by three networks forecast that Likud and its allies were on track to win 59 parliamentary seats -- two short of majority -- the premier mocked those who "predicted the end of Netanyahu". Jack GUEZ / AFP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara address supporters as confetti falls upon them at the Likud party campaign headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu claimed "a giant victory" in elections on March 3, boasting that his right-wing Likud party had defied "all expectations" in the country's third vote in less than a year. After exit polls by three networks forecast that Likud and its allies were on track to win 59 parliamentary seats -- two short of majority -- the premier mocked those who "predicted the end of Netanyahu". GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara address supporters at the Likud party campaign headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu claimed "a giant victory" in elections on March 3, boasting that his right-wing Likud party had defied "all expectations" in the country's third vote in less than a year. After exit polls by three networks forecast that Likud and its allies were on track to win 59 parliamentary seats -- two short of majority -- the premier mocked those who "predicted the end of Netanyahu". GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP

Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) electoral alliance leader Benny Gantz (C) greets supporters at their campaign headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. Menahem KAHANA / AFP

Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) electoral alliance, addresses supporters at their headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. GALI TIBBON / AFP

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference, on March 2, 2020 in Washington, DC. AIPAC is the lobbying group that advocates pro-Israel policies in the U.S. Mark Wilson/Getty Images/AFP MARK WILSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

A woman stands in front of curtains at a stage near a sign showing the face of the Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) alliance's leader Benny Gantz, with text in Hebrew reading "we must move forward", at the alliance's electoral headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020. GALI TIBBON / AFP

A Likud party supporter holds up a poster showing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embraced by his wife Sara with a heart behind them as she chants slogans at the Likud's electoral headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on March 2, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu claimed "a giant victory" in elections on March 3, boasting that his right-wing Likud party had defied "all expectations" in the country's third vote in less than a year. After exit polls by three networks forecast that Likud and its allies were on track to win 59 parliamentary seats -- two short of majority -- the premier mocked those who "predicted the end of Netanyahu". Jack GUEZ / AFP

A man kisses another wearing a "Benjamin Netanyahu" face mask as they celebrate at the Likud party's electoral headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on March 2, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu appeared to lead his main challenger following elections with multiple exit polls putting his right-wing Likud several seats ahead of the centrist Blue and White party. Exit polls by three Israeli television networks, released after polls closed, gave Likud between 36 and 37 seats in Israel's 120-member parliament against Blue and White's estimated 32 or 33. Jack GUEZ / AFP

Netanyahu set for 'giant victory' in Israel election (Twitter)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu kisses his wife Sara before addressing supporters at the Likud party campaign headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu claimed "a giant victory" in elections on March 3, boasting that his right-wing Likud party had defied "all expectations" in the country's third vote in less than a year. After exit polls by three networks forecast that Likud and its allies were on track to win 59 parliamentary sea
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara address supporters as confetti falls upon them at the Likud party campaign headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu claimed "a giant victory" in elections on March 3, boasting that his right-wing Likud party had defied "all expectations" in the country's third vote in less than a year. After exit polls by three networks forecast that Likud and its allies were on track to win 59 pa
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara address supporters at the Likud party campaign headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu claimed "a giant victory" in elections on March 3, boasting that his right-wing Likud party had defied "all expectations" in the country's third vote in less than a year. After exit polls by three networks forecast that Likud and its allies were on track to win 59 parliamentary seats -- two sho
Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) electoral alliance leader Benny Gantz (C) greets supporters at their campaign headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. Menahem KAHANA / AFP
Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) electoral alliance, addresses supporters at their headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. GALI TIBBON / AFP
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference, on March 2, 2020 in Washington, DC. AIPAC is the lobbying group that advocates pro-Israel policies in the U.S. Mark Wilson/Getty Images/AFP MARK WILSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP
A woman stands in front of curtains at a stage near a sign showing the face of the Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) alliance's leader Benny Gantz, with text in Hebrew reading "we must move forward", at the alliance's electoral headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020. GALI TIBBON / AFP
A Likud party supporter holds up a poster showing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embraced by his wife Sara with a heart behind them as she chants slogans at the Likud's electoral headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on March 2, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu claimed "a giant victory" in elections on March 3, boasting that his right-wing Likud party had defied "all expectations" in the country's third vote in less than a year. After exit polls by three networks forecast tha
A man kisses another wearing a "Benjamin Netanyahu" face mask as they celebrate at the Likud party's electoral headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on March 2, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu appeared to lead his main challenger following elections with multiple exit polls putting his right-wing Likud several seats ahead of the centrist Blue and White party. Exit polls by three Israeli television networks, released after polls closed, gave Likud between 36 and 37 seats in Israel's 120
Netanyahu set for 'giant victory' in Israel election (Twitter)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu kisses his wife Sara before addressing supporters at the Likud party campaign headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu claimed "a giant victory" in elections on March 3, boasting that his right-wing Likud party had defied "all expectations" in the country's third vote in less than a year. After exit polls by three networks forecast that Likud and its allies were on track to win 59 parliamentary sea
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu kisses his wife Sara before addressing supporters at the Likud party campaign headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu claimed "a giant victory" in elections on March 3, boasting that his right-wing Likud party had defied "all expectations" in the country's third vote in less than a year. After exit polls by three networks forecast that Likud and its allies were on track to win 59 parliamentary seats -- two short of majority -- the premier mocked those who "predicted the end of Netanyahu". Jack GUEZ / AFP
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara address supporters as confetti falls upon them at the Likud party campaign headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu claimed "a giant victory" in elections on March 3, boasting that his right-wing Likud party had defied "all expectations" in the country's third vote in less than a year. After exit polls by three networks forecast that Likud and its allies were on track to win 59 pa
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara address supporters as confetti falls upon them at the Likud party campaign headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu claimed "a giant victory" in elections on March 3, boasting that his right-wing Likud party had defied "all expectations" in the country's third vote in less than a year. After exit polls by three networks forecast that Likud and its allies were on track to win 59 parliamentary seats -- two short of majority -- the premier mocked those who "predicted the end of Netanyahu". GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara address supporters at the Likud party campaign headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu claimed "a giant victory" in elections on March 3, boasting that his right-wing Likud party had defied "all expectations" in the country's third vote in less than a year. After exit polls by three networks forecast that Likud and its allies were on track to win 59 parliamentary seats -- two sho
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara address supporters at the Likud party campaign headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu claimed "a giant victory" in elections on March 3, boasting that his right-wing Likud party had defied "all expectations" in the country's third vote in less than a year. After exit polls by three networks forecast that Likud and its allies were on track to win 59 parliamentary seats -- two short of majority -- the premier mocked those who "predicted the end of Netanyahu". GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP
Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) electoral alliance leader Benny Gantz (C) greets supporters at their campaign headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. Menahem KAHANA / AFP
Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) electoral alliance leader Benny Gantz (C) greets supporters at their campaign headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. Menahem KAHANA / AFP
Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) electoral alliance, addresses supporters at their headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. GALI TIBBON / AFP
Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) electoral alliance, addresses supporters at their headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020, after polls officially closed. GALI TIBBON / AFP
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference, on March 2, 2020 in Washington, DC. AIPAC is the lobbying group that advocates pro-Israel policies in the U.S. Mark Wilson/Getty Images/AFP MARK WILSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference, on March 2, 2020 in Washington, DC. AIPAC is the lobbying group that advocates pro-Israel policies in the U.S. Mark Wilson/Getty Images/AFP MARK WILSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP
A woman stands in front of curtains at a stage near a sign showing the face of the Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) alliance's leader Benny Gantz, with text in Hebrew reading "we must move forward", at the alliance's electoral headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020. GALI TIBBON / AFP
A woman stands in front of curtains at a stage near a sign showing the face of the Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) alliance's leader Benny Gantz, with text in Hebrew reading "we must move forward", at the alliance's electoral headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 3, 2020. GALI TIBBON / AFP
A Likud party supporter holds up a poster showing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embraced by his wife Sara with a heart behind them as she chants slogans at the Likud's electoral headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on March 2, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu claimed "a giant victory" in elections on March 3, boasting that his right-wing Likud party had defied "all expectations" in the country's third vote in less than a year. After exit polls by three networks forecast tha
A Likud party supporter holds up a poster showing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embraced by his wife Sara with a heart behind them as she chants slogans at the Likud's electoral headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on March 2, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu claimed "a giant victory" in elections on March 3, boasting that his right-wing Likud party had defied "all expectations" in the country's third vote in less than a year. After exit polls by three networks forecast that Likud and its allies were on track to win 59 parliamentary seats -- two short of majority -- the premier mocked those who "predicted the end of Netanyahu". Jack GUEZ / AFP
A man kisses another wearing a "Benjamin Netanyahu" face mask as they celebrate at the Likud party's electoral headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on March 2, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu appeared to lead his main challenger following elections with multiple exit polls putting his right-wing Likud several seats ahead of the centrist Blue and White party. Exit polls by three Israeli television networks, released after polls closed, gave Likud between 36 and 37 seats in Israel's 120
A man kisses another wearing a "Benjamin Netanyahu" face mask as they celebrate at the Likud party's electoral headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on March 2, 2020, after polls officially closed. Netanyahu appeared to lead his main challenger following elections with multiple exit polls putting his right-wing Likud several seats ahead of the centrist Blue and White party. Exit polls by three Israeli television networks, released after polls closed, gave Likud between 36 and 37 seats in Israel's 120-member parliament against Blue and White's estimated 32 or 33. Jack GUEZ / AFP
Netanyahu set for 'giant victory' in Israel election (Twitter)
Netanyahu set for 'giant victory' in Israel election (Twitter)

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