“There are votes yet to be counted. A fraught coalition negotiation awaits. And if he clears those hurdles, indictments for corruption might lie around the corner.
“It’s not over yet, and Israel’s Houdini may pull off another great escape. But after his decade in power, it’s possible to imagine the end of the Netanyahu era. It has been quite a ride.
“The U.S.-Israel relationship is deep, broad and multifaceted. It comprises security, economic, technological and societal components. It is more than just the personal ties between our leaders. And yet, in the past decade, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has become a larger-than-life figure whose personality and presence dominates our two nations’ relations. The longest-serving prime minister in Israel’s history, Netanyahu has led the country since 2009 (in addition to three years in the late 1990s). But his attempt to secure a fifth term with early elections in April backfired, leading to a deadlock then and an inconclusive draw in this week’s rerun of the vote, one he may not survive…”