Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Victory to Win Immunity from Prosecution

“Great Victory”

This strong performance by Israel’s longest-serving leader could give him another chance to form a new government after next March’s election, after two failed attempts in 2019. By easily pushing back Likud lawmaker Gideon Saar, Netanyahu also kept alive his hopes of gaining immunity from prosecution after being indicted on a series of corruption charges last month.

On Twitter on December 27, just one hour after the polls closed, Mr. Netanyahu wrote: “A great victory. Thanks to the trust, support and affection of the Likud party members. I will lead Likud to a great victory in the upcoming elections.”

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu (left) and Mr. Gideon Sa'ar. Photo: Ynet News

"Anyone who is not willing to take risks on the path he believes in will never win."

Gideon Saar

Meanwhile, Saar also posted a congratulatory message to Netanyahu and announced that he would support the prime minister in the national election. He said: “I am completely comfortable with my decision to run. Anyone who is not willing to take risks on the path they believe in will never win.”

Official results released by the Likud party showed Mr Netanyahu winning 41,792 votes, or 72%, compared to 15,885 votes, or 28%, for Mr Saar.

While the result removes any lingering doubts about Netanyahu’s standing in the ruling party, it is also likely to prolong political uncertainty in Israel. Netanyahu will remain at the helm of the Likud party through elections in March, and his ongoing legal troubles could again derail efforts to form a government after that.

Veteran politician Saar had hoped to replace Mr Netanyahu but was unsuccessful. Photo: AP

Looking back at the September election, neither Likud nor its main rival, the centrist Blue and White, were able to secure a majority in parliament and form a government on their own. Together, the two parties could have secured a solid majority in parliament, opening up the possibility of forming a national coalition government, which they see as the best way out of the crisis. But Blue and White has refused to work with Netanyahu while he is under indictment.

Polls predict a similar outcome in next year's election, raising the possibility of more months of political paralysis, especially given that the country has been ruled by a caretaker government for the past year.

Luck is down?

Netanyahu, who has led Israel for the past decade, has maintained his position at the top of politics by cultivating an image as a veteran politician with close relationships with US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and many other world leaders.

The Israeli Prime Minister has close relationships with US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and many other world leaders.

His refusal to make concessions to the Palestinians bore fruit after Trump took office, with the US beginning to openly side with Israel on a number of key issues, further enhancing Netanyahu's approach in the eyes of many Israelis and adding to the leader's air of mystique.

Netanyahu’s hardline approach to Iran has also proven popular. He was a staunch opponent of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which was partially dismantled when Trump withdrew from it. A series of Israeli strikes on Iranian-linked targets in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq have only served to burnish Netanyahu’s claims of defending Israel from its enemies.

However, his fortunes have declined over the past year, after he failed to form a government in unprecedented back-to-back elections in March and September. His party only came in second place in September, leading many observers to view that vote as the beginning of the end for the leader.

A poster depicting Mr Netanyahu in the northern Israeli city of Hadera. Photo: AP

In November, Netanyahu was indicted on charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery, the culmination of three long-running corruption investigations. Netanyahu has pledged to stay in office, dismissing the charges as a “coup attempt” by hostile media and law enforcement.

Many obstacles

Reuven Hazan, a professor of political science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said that Netanyahu's recent victory would have no impact on the general election, but simply meant that he had successfully maintained control of the party.

In recent weeks, Netanyahu has been energetic in his campaigning, holding several live events each day, gathering supporters in small rallies and face-to-face meetings. The approach appears to be working and could serve as a model for a more effective general election campaign. Meanwhile, Israel will remain in a state of uncertainty for at least another two months.

Prime Minister Netanyahu still has many obstacles ahead. In the photo: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (center) at the Likud party headquarters in Tel Aviv. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

Mr. Netanyahu is trying every way to stay in power and have a "shield" against the "storm" of corruption prosecutions that is coming.

It is safe to say that Netanyahu is trying his best to stay in office and protect himself from the coming storm of corruption charges. However, even though he won the recent vote, Netanyahu still faces many obstacles. Next week, the country’s Supreme Court will begin considering whether an indicted member of parliament can be tasked with forming a new government. This decision could disqualify Netanyahu from leading the next government.

The country’s political instability has also led to the Trump administration delaying the release of its long-rumored Middle East peace plan. Palestinians oppose the plan, saying the US government favors Israel. Netanyahu, meanwhile, has insisted that Israel is working to secure US support for annexing large parts of the occupied West Bank, but only if he remains in power. If this is realized, it would dash Palestinian hopes of one day establishing an independent state, but would cement the legacy of Netanyahu, who can be hailed as the most successful right-wing leader in the country’s history.