Netanyahu's message of unity was a sharp contrast from his campaign theme in which he accused Gantz of conspiring with Arab parties to topple him. Arab leaders accused Netanyahu of demonizing the country's Arab community, which is about 20 percent of the population. But by morning, he seemed to have realized his dream of becoming prime minister was lost, even if he didn't formally concede defeat. The 69-year-old Netanyahu has been the dominant force in Israeli politics for the past two decades and its face to the world. "This is a clear beginning of Netanyahu's fifth term, but his fifth term might end up being his shortest one", says Reuven Hazan, a political scientist from Jerusalem's Hebrew University.

Source: ABC News April 10, 2019 05:23 UTC