International congratulations start coming in for Netanyahu

Following Benjamin Netanyahu's election victory, world leaders congratulated him on social media, confirming their cooperation with his government,

 Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu waves as he addresses his supporters at his party headquarters during Israel's general election in Jerusalem, November 2, 2022. (photo credit: REUTERS/AMMAR AWAD)
Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu waves as he addresses his supporters at his party headquarters during Israel's general election in Jerusalem, November 2, 2022.
(photo credit: REUTERS/AMMAR AWAD)

Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu began to field congratulatory calls and tweets from Israel’s foreign allies on Thursday, after the release of the final results of the election showing he would likely be able to form a coalition and return to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, took to social media to congratulate Netanyahu on his apparent electoral victory.

"Congratulations to Netanyahu on winning the elections," Zelensky tweeted. "It’s always important to see real democracy in action. Ukraine and Israel share common values challenges that now require effective cooperation."

He added that he hopes to open "a new page in cooperation" with Israel's new government. 

US Ambassador Tom Nides

US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides called Netanyahu, tweeting soon after: "I congratulated him on his victory and told him I look forward to working together to maintain the unbreakable bond" between Israel and the US.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted "Mazel Tov my friend Netanyahu for your electoral success. I look forward to continuing our joint efforts to deepen the India-Israel strategic partnership."

Netanyahu and Modi traveled to each other's capitals, and ties between Delhi and Jerusalem grew closer in during the former's previous tenure as prime minister.

Modi also thanked departing Prime Minister Yair Lapid for his work to strengthen the India-Israel relationship.


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Netanyahu also spoke with Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer. ‬

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban 

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban posed for a photograph with Netanyahu's recently-published autobiography, which he tweeted with the message "Mazel Tov!" emblazoned across it.

"What a great victory for Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel! Hard times require strong leaders. Welcome back!" Orban wrote.

Netanyahu and Orban had close ties as leaders, with Hungary often vetoing EU foreign policy proposals, which require unanimity, that were viewed as problematic in Jerusalem. Netanyahu faced criticism for those relations, because of accusations of democratic backsliding in Budapest.

US Senator Ted Cruz

US Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) congratulated Netanyahu on Wednesday, already, when the results seemed clear but were not yet final. At that time, Biden administration officials had said they were waiting to see what kind of government would be formed, but that US-Israel relations would stay strong.

"Congratulations to the people of Israel on a robust high turnout election and clear choice of Netanyahu to form a government," Cruz tweeted.

He added in Hebrew: "Good luck, friend."

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni sent her congratulations to Netanyahu on Twitter as well, saying she is "ready to strengthen our friendship and our bilateral relations, to better face our common challenges."

Meloni was recently elected, drawing harsh criticism for her right-wing politics, with some accusing her of being a Fascist. 

President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola

Roberta Metsola, the Maltese Member of the European Parliament, and the President of the European parliament, has congratulated Netanyahu on his election victory, saying that "The bond between the EU & Israel is one forged in shared history and based on common values of democracy, liberty & rule of law."