Benny Gantz took the defeat and Benjamin Netanyahu for his fifth term as Prime Minister of Israel

Benny Gantz, rival of Benjamin Netanyahu in the Israeli parliamentary elections, he acknowledged his defeat on Wednesday, so that "Bibi", as the Israelis call the Prime Minister, would badume his fifth term as Prime Minister of Israel.

"We respect the people's decision," said Gantz, who's justified as a alternative real for the future of Israel. "We come from around incredible resultsHe said about his blue-and-white centrist coalition which, formed less than two months ago, had obtained the same number of seats (35) as Netanyahu's Likud, with over 98% of the vote counted.

However, the formation of the current Prime Minister is what more potential support, you need to form an executive in the new parliament, in which the block of right-wing parties and religious parties rise to 65 versus 55 of center, left and Arab groups.

Gantz, a former general, declared victory on election night and hoped to form a broad coalition to replace Netanyahu. Blue and White's number two, Yair Lapid, said with him that the list was ready for "Bitter life for the Netanyahu government".

With his victory, Netanyahu, 69, will be converted at the end of this year Prime Minister with more time in power in the history of the state of Israel, beating the legendary David Ben Gurion. Already accumulates 13 years at the office Prime Minister (1996-1999 and since 2009).

In a speech to his supporters in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu said the triumph had been "magnificent".

"The Israeli people have supported me for a fifth term and have expressed even greater confidence in me," he said.

In a speech to his supporters in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu said the triumph had been "magnificent".

US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu's great ally, whom he publicly endorsed during the campaign, said the Prime Minister's victory gave the long-awaited peace plan of the White House "a better chance".

The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, considered that this did not change the winner. "All Zionist parties represent the face of the same coin, which is l & # 39; occupationhe said in a statement.

Once the confirmed results are open in the next few days, a period of intense negotiations form a coalition government.

All indications are that Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will instruct Netanyahu to form a government. Rivlin said he would begin consultations with party leaders next week.

His office indicated that for the process to be transparent, consultations will be broadcast live on television, for the first time.

Netanyahu has accumulated 13 years as prime minister (1996-1999 and since 2009), while Gantz, general and former paratrooper, has military experience of having been commander of a force unit. Special Forces and former Chief of Staff of the Defense Forces. But until six months ago, Israel was a foreign politician.