Netanyahu Claims Israel Election Victory: ‘It’s Time to Heal Rifts’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed early victory in Israel’s general election—the country’s third in under a year.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waves to supporters following the announcement of exit polls in Israel's election at his Likud party headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 3, 2020. Amir Cohen/Reuters

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed early victory in Israel’s general election—the country’s third in under a year—after exit polls and partial results placed him ahead of his chief rival, Benny Gantz.

With some 90 percent of ballots tallied, Netanyahu’s Likud party held roughly 29.4 percent of the vote, equal to around 36 Knesset seats, and a total of 59 seats for his right-wing alliance.