Benjamin Netanyahu
The president's plan calls for the creation of a Palestinian state but leaves sizable chunks of the occupied West Bank in Israeli hands.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hopes to have a majority coalition after March's election to shield him from prosecution.
The apparent victory means that Netanyahu will lead Likud into March elections, the country’s third election in less than a year.
Initial results showed challenger Benny Gantz’s centrist Blue and White party tied or with a slight lead over Netanyahu’s Likud.
He made pacts with far-right extremists, promised new restrictions on Palestinian rights and showed he was willing to go to any length to stay in power.
If he wins, Netanyahu will be on track to be the longest-serving prime minister in Israel’s 71-year history.
The policy shift is apparently aimed at rallying Netanyahu's nationalist base in the final stretch of the tight Israeli Prime Minister race.
Palestinian leaders immediately reacted with anger.
The prime minister has been the focus of multiple corruption investigations spanning years.