Benjamin Netanyahu is back as Israel's Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanyahu is back as Israel’s prime minister, after winning a resounding victory in yesterday’s snap elections. Netanyahu will now begin his fourth consecutive term in office, and his fifth overall.

What does this mean for Israel? Well, it depends who you ask. Netanyahu is a deeply polarizing figure, and has been for much of his political career. His supporters see him as a strong leader who has kept Israel safe and prosperous during some very tough times. His detractors see him as a reckless xenophobe who is more interested in pandering to his right-wing base than in governing responsibly.

The truth lies somewhere in between, of course. Netanyahu is undoubtedly a skilled politician, and he has navigated some very tricky situations over the years. But he is also prone to making careless decisions that can have serious consequences (just look at the current mess with Iran).

So what does Netanyahu’s return mean for Israel? That remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the next few years are going to be interesting ones for Israeli politics.