Netanyahu on his way to fifth record – Ghanacrusader

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is about to get an unprecedented fifth term after the near-complete results of the Israeli election suggest a new right-wing coalition.

His party, Likud, should end with a similar number of seats to the alliance between the blue-and-white centrist of former military leader Benny Gantz.

But Likud and its allies on the right will be the largest block with 65 seats in the Knesset, 120 seats, local media said.

The 69-year-old Prime Minister faces allegations of corruption.

However, the election results mean he could become Israel's oldest prime minister later this year, overtaking Israel's founding father, David Ben Gurion.

Polls at the polls predicted a tight race with no clear winner, prompting Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to win Tuesday night.

"It will be a right-wing government, but I will be Prime Minister for all," Netanyahu told his supporters.

"I am very touched by the fact that the Israeli people gave me their vote of confidence for the fifth time and a vote of confidence even more important than in previous elections.

"I intend to be the prime minister of all citizens of Israel. Right, left, Jews, non-Jews. All citizens of Israel. "

No party has ever won a majority in Israel's 120-seat parliament and has always had coalition governments.

Netanyahu, 69, launched tough messages on security before the vote and it quickly became one of the key issues in the elections.

He also made an important announcement in the final days of the campaign, suggesting that a new government would annex Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.

Mr. Netanyahu denied allegations of corruption against him, claiming that he was the victim of a "witch hunt" policy intended to influence the elections.

In another controversy on Tuesday, Israeli Arab politicians condemned his party, the Likud, for sending 1,200 observers with hidden cameras to the bodies in the polling stations of Arab communities.

The Arab alliance, Hadash-Taal, said it was "illegal" action to intimidate the Arabs. The Likud said that he wanted to make sure that only "valid votes" were cast.

Mr. Netanyahu's main opponent, Mr. Gantz, is a retired lieutenant-general who formed the Blue and White in February, promising to unite a country that had "lost its way".

The 59-year-old former Israeli army chief of staff rivaled Netanyahu's tough stance on security and promised a cleaner policy.

Mr. Gantz's campaign platform referred to the "separation" of Palestinians but did not specifically mention that they had an independent state. He also called for continued control of the Jordan Valley and the maintenance of settlement blocs in the West Bank.