Netanyahu-led right-wing bloc wins 64 seats: election commission

JERUSALEM (AA) – Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc secured an outright majority in parliament, according to final election results on Thursday, winning a decisive victory in Tuesday’s election.

Netanyahu’s camp won 64 seats versus 51 seats of the current government led by Yair Lapid in the 120-seat parliament.

Netanyahu’s Likud party won 32 seats, 14 seats went to the Religious Zionism alliance led by far-right Itamar Ben Gvir, ultra-Orthodox Shas secured 11 seats, and United Torah Judaism won seven seats, according to Israeli election commission.

Lapid’s Yesh Atid (There is a Future Party) won 24 seats in parliament.

The results give Netanyahu, a former prime minister, an outright majority in the Knesset to form the government.

Tuesday’s elections were the fifth in less than four years, which witnessed a 71.3% voter turnout, the highest in 20 years.

Lapid concedes defeat to Netanyahu

Israel’s outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid conceded defeat to opposition leader and former premier Netanyahu.

The daily Jerusalem Post reported that Lapid called his presumed successor to congratulate him after his right-wing Likud party won 32 seats.

“The State of Israel is above all political considerations. I wish Netanyahu success for the sake of the people of Israel and the State of Israel,” the newspaper quoted Lapid as saying.

Lapid reportedly instructed the Prime Minister’s Office to prepare for an orderly transfer of power.