Toronto (April 10, 2019) - Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) would like to congratulate Benjamin Nethanyahu on his fifth consecutive term as Prime Minister of Israel. 

Immediate reports placed Netanyahu's Likkud with a slight lead over Benny Gantz's Kahol Lavan (Blue and White) last night. This morning, President Reuven Rivlin met with the head of the Central Elections Committee to discuss consultation with the different parties over forming a government.

Tied neck and neck with Benny Gantz of the newly formed Kahol Lavan Party with 35 seats each, both candidates declared victory after exit polls. However, almost all right-wing parties have agreed to recommend Netanyahu to the President Reuven Rivlin to form the next ruling coalition, allowing him to secure 65 places out of 120 in the Knesset. Gantz has conceded defeat, though he insists that the results tell "an unfinished story."

"Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center applauds the strength of Israeli democracy - especially given the dozens of political parties which competed for the 120 seats in the Knesset (Parliament).  Israel's freedom and democracy is a beacon of hope in a region fraught with tyranny and oppression of minority groups," said Avi Benlolo, President and CEO of FSWC.

Avi Benlolo is available for comment on Israel's election. Please contact us at 416-864-9735 ext. 29 or 30 to schedule an interview.