Swoboda on Israeli elections: „Not a success for Netanyahu“

Following preliminary results from the Israeli general elections, European Socialists and Democrats see the slipping support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party and its alliance as a sign that many Israeli people want to see new impetus for the peace process.

S&D Group President Hannes Swoboda underlined the need for European action in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process:

„The elections were everything but the big success for Bibi Netanyahu some had anticipated. This is a demonstration of growing support for a real peace process. I would like to assure all those fed up with the right-wing government’s stalling in negotiations that the European Union fully supports renewed negotiations to achieve a sustainable, peaceful solution for all parties involved.

„Nationalistic populism is not the answer and will not succeed. The European Union must come forward as an independent player with a new peace initiative – for all those who voted against Benjamin Netanyahu, and for all the people of Israel and Palestine.“