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Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is set to return to power a year after being ousted. With nearly all votes counted, Netanyahu’s Likud party emerges as the single largest party and is now able to put together a governing coalition with ultra-Orthodox and right-wing parties. The new government could take a harder line toward the Palestinians and toward Iran.
Linda Gradstein reports for VOA from Jerusalem.
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/ScriptISRAEL ELECTION NETANYAHU COMEBACK (TV)
HEADLINE: Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Regains Power
TEASER: Netanyahu to form a coalition with and ultra-Orthodox parties.
PUBLISHED: 11/2/2022 at 7:29p
BYLINE: Linda Gradstein DATELINE: Jerusalem VIDEOGRAPHER: Ricki Rosen, Agency PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: LR,
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA Original, AFP, REUTERS PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO _ TRT: 2:37 VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: Web desk, please post camera credit for Ricki Rosen))
This is for production Wednesday 11/2))
((INTRO)) [[Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is set to return to power a year after being ousted. With nearly all votes counted, Netanyahu’s Likud party emerges as the single largest party and is now able to put together a governing coalition with ultra-Orthodox and right-wing parties. The new government could take a harder line toward the Palestinians and toward Iran. Linda Gradstein reports for VOA from Jerusalem.
((NARRATOR))
Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party are clearly the big winners of Tuesday’s election – Israel’s fourth in five years. The former leader looks on track to put together a right-wing religious coalition with ultra-Orthodox and far-right extremist parties.
((Benjamin Netanyahu, Former Israeli Prime Minister, MALE IN HEBREW))
"Today we have won a huge vote of confidence. (Supporters chant: 'Bibi king of Israel’)"
((NARRATOR))
The other big winner is right-wing extremist Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose Religious Zionism party is now Israel’s third largest. He has already said he wants to become Israel’s Minister of Internal Security, responsible for such sensitive issues as the relations between Jews and Muslims at Jerusalem’s holy sites.
((Itamar Ben-Gvir, Religious Zionism Party, MALE IN HEBREW))
"Everyone is asking for real change. (People) want to walk safely down the street; want the hands of our soldiers and policemen not to be bound; want to make a clear distinction between those who are loyal to the State of Israel - whom we have no problem with - and those who act to undermine the existence of our dear country."
((NARRATOR))
The new government’s first priority will be putting an end to Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial, according to some Israeli analysts.
[[RADIO VERSION: Jonathan Rynhold is a professor of political science at Bar Ilan University.]
((Jonathan Rynhold, Bar-Ilan University – MALE IN ENGLISH – VOA))
((Mandatory cg: Zoom))
“Netanyahu will want to pass a law which has been suggested by Religious Zionism, which will in effect end his trial."
((NARRATOR))
Analysts also say that Netanyahu will change Israel’s foreign policy priorities.
[[For radio: Gayil Talshir is an Israeli political analyst.]]
((Gayil Talshir, Israeli Political Analyst, Female (in English)))
((Mandatory cg: MediaCentral))
“Netanyahu places himself for changing the way of looking at the Middle East -- putting away the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and talking about Iran and not about the Palestinians. So, first of all, I think we’re going to go back into the no-negotiation kind of ideas that came from Netanyahu beforehand.”
((NARRATOR))
The elections come as tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have increased. Palestinian officials say Netanyahu’s victory is bad news for them.
((Mohammad Shtayyeh, Palestinian Prime Minister - MALE IN ARABIC))
"Israel is holding general elections after its election campaigns deliberately led to more killing, settlement and blockade of our people. We are aware that these elections will not lead to a partnership for peace."
((NARRATOR))
Israeli analysts say the election results bringing far-right parties into the government could also cause tensions with the Biden administration, which has called on Israel to restart talks with the Palestinians.
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Jerusalem
Embargo DateNovember 2, 2022 19:34 EDT
Byline
((Linda Gradstein for VOA News, Jerusalem))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
