With nearly all votes counted in Israel's elections, it appears that the Likud Party of Prime Minister Bibi "Bomb Bomb" Netanyahu has fallen short in a close election. Former General Benny Gantz's Kahol Lavan Party has a one seat lead, with the Israeli Arab-dominated Joint List Party finishing third. The big challenge now will be to form a government. Gantz has pledged to form a broad "unity" government, and is talking with the Joint List Party leaders among others to do that. Sixty one seats are needed to form a government.
In an echo of his ally, demagogue and bigot Donald "Rump" Trump, Netanyahu is refusing to concede and is blaming the Israeli media for his apparent loss. His last minute appeal to bigotry against Israeli Arabs appears to have backfired, too.
It will take a while to see if a government can be formed with a coalition of several disparate parties. But it's looking more and more like Bibi Bomb Bomb has lost his grip on the Prime Minister position. Worse for Netanyahu are corruption investigations that are ongoing and may result in charges. Another commonality with Trump.
(photo: A campaign billboard with Trump and Netanyahu, who went to great lengths to tie himself to Trump)
