Trump congratulates Netanyahu

“He’s been a great ally and he’s a friend, I’d like to congratulate Bibi Netanyahu, that was a well-thought out race I can tell you,” US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday. Earlier he told reporters that Netanyahu’s win was a good sign for peace. Indian PM Narendra Modi wrote on his Twitter: “My dear friend Bibi, Congratulations! You are a great friend of India, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to take our bilateral partnership to new heights.”

Chancellor of Austria Sebastian Kurz also tweeted, “Congratulations to Prime Minister Netanyahu for an excellent showing in yesterday’s national elections.” More cautiously, German government spokesperson Steffen Seibert said that Berlin would work with any new Israeli government — without offering congratulations to either of the tied candidates until final results were in. “Israel lies in a region with enormous challenges, which is why it’s important to form a government quickly,” he said. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini wrote: “A good job to my friend Bibi Netanyahu and a hug to the people of Israel.”