AFP, JERUSALEMIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday emerged victorious after the nation’s third election in a year, despite a looming corruption trial, dismaying the Palestinians who were angered by his hardline campaign pledges. That would mark the party’s best-ever result under Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister and its first to be indicted in office. While there remains no guarantee that Netanyahu can form a coalition, he hailed Monday’s election as a “giant” success. Netanyahu campaigned on his tough position toward the Palestinians and on expanding Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. Party leader Avigdor Lieberman served as defense minister in a previous Netanyahu government and his support would easily put Likud over the crucial 61-seat line.

Source: Taipei Times March 03, 2020 16:04 UTC