Netanyahu wins in Israel and will form a more hard line governing coalition

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared victory in Tuesday’s close national elections.

Netanyahu, leader of the conservative Likud Party, made the announcement on Twitter. “Against all odds: a great victory for the Likud. A major victory for the people of Israel!” he wrote in Hebrew.

Exit polls had showed Likud in a dead heat with the center-left Zionist Union. But the results indicated that Netanyahu will have an easier time forming a government with support from hard-line and religious allies

A more hard line coalition and a continuation with Netanyahu as the leader will mean
– no Palestinian state or deal for the duration of this term
– harder line dealings with Iran
– continuing friction with the USA Obama Administration

SOURCE – NBC News