The president of the United States, Joe Biden, called the right-wing Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to congratulate him on his victory in the elections that Israel held on November 1, a spokesman for the Likud party reported and later confirmed the White House.
“My commitment to Israel is unquestionable. Congratulations friend,” Biden told Netanyahu, according to a spokesman for his Likud party, which won the elections with 23.41% of the vote.
The former Israeli prime minister, who has accumulated 15 years in power and who is shaping up to return to office, responded: “We are going to bring more historic peace agreements. My commitment to our alliance and our relationship is stronger than ever,” reported the same source.
At a press conference, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that Biden called Netanyahu on Monday to congratulate him on his party’s victory.
In the call, Biden reaffirmed “the strength” of the bilateral relationship and his commitment to Israel’s security, Jean-Pierre explained.
Now, the United States will closely follow the government formation process in Israel and “is looking forward” to working with the future Israeli government on “their shared interests and values,” according to the spokeswoman.
Israeli President Isac Herzog is scheduled to begin post-election consultations with party leaders on Wednesday, and Netanyahu is expected to receive support from factions of his right-wing bloc: Religious Zionism, the country’s third force that with its profile ultra-nationalist and anti-Arab parties amassed 14 seats, and the ultra-Orthodox parties that captured 18.
Added to the 32 seats that Likud won, Netanyahu would obtain a majority of 64 seats in a Knesset (Parliament) of 120 to form an Executive, the most right-wing in Israel’s history.
One of the leaders of Religious Zionism is Itamar Ben Gvir, who has faced charges in the past for racism, inciting violence or supporting terrorist organizations, and aspires to lead the Ministry of Public Security.
Numerous personalities in Israel and abroad, especially US lawmakers and leaders of the Jewish diaspora in the United States, have expressed concern about Ben Gvir’s likely inclusion in Netanyahu’s future cabinet.
French President Emmanuel Macron called Netanyahu on Sunday to congratulate him.