WEB DESK
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Saturday held an emergency gathering in which he accused his rivals of attempting to steal the elections through deceit and anti-democratic legislation. Resisting calls to resign after failing to secure a majority for his right-wing bloc in a third straight election on Monday, a defiant Netanyahu said he is not going anywhere.
Netanyahu asserted that his Likud party had won an amazing victory in securing 36 seats in the national vote, saying the party had won more votes than it ever had in the past. Netanyahu said he had forgone holding a mass rally and was instead broadcasting to some 16 smaller events throughout the country due to Health Ministry warnings against large gatherings amid the coronavirus scare.
The premier and his partners together received 58 seats which is three short of a majority. Other 62 lawmakers in the Knesset are deeply divided on key issues, they all oppose Netanyahu and could unite to unseat him. The election results looked to extend the country’s year-old political deadlock as he prepares to go on trial on March 17 for corruption charges. However, Israeli law does not require the prime minister to resign if charged with a crime.