Prime Minister Yair Lapid called opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday evening to congratulate him on his victory in the election.
“The State of Israel is above all political considerations. I wish Netanyahu success for the sake of the people of Israel and the State of Israel,” Lapid said.
He informed Netanyahu that he had instructed all branches of government to prepare for an orderly transfer of power.
With more than 4.7 million votes officially counted, or more than 99.87% of the total ballots cast in Israel’s election, Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc secured 64 seats in the 120-member Knesset. Netanyahu hopes to form a coalition within two weeks, according to reports.
Lapid has come under harsh criticism from members of his own coalition for what they deem a disastrous campaign.
“[Lapid] behaved like a cannibalistic pig who tried to eliminate [the other parties in his bloc] in order to be the biggest one, and this is the result,” said one official, according to Channel 12.
