IN a Middle East already unstable due to multiple crises, the victory of Benjamin Netanyahu’s rightist Likud party in the Israeli elections bodes ill for chances of a just peace deal for the Palestinians.

Due to the Likud triumph, Mr Netanyahu will most likely be asked to form a government in Tel Aviv. Yet if his past record is anything to go by peace for the Palestinians and stability in the wider region will remain elusive.

In 2014, Mr Netanyahu presided over the Israeli rampage in Gaza, ostensibly carried out in reaction to rocket attacks from the impoverished strip. As per independent figures, over 2,000 people were killed due to Israeli aggression, the majority of them civilians.

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Also, under Mr Netanyahu’s watch the expansion of illegal settlements on Palestinian land has continued unabated; over 350,000 Israelis are said to be living in these controversial communities in the West Bank, while a similarly large number are to be found in occupied parts of Jerusalem.

The Israeli leader has also been clear in his opposition to the two-state solution: while the Palestinian leadership has stated it would work with any Israeli government that supported Palestinian statehood, Benjamin Netanyahu has said this is not a possibility.

Hence the peace process — already in tatters — is likely to stay that way. Mr Netanyahu’s jarring words and actions have managed to alienate many of Israel’s usual supporters in the US and Europe, with the White House terming his election rhetoric as ‘divisive’.

The Likud victory has indeed reflected the mood of the Israeli electorate. However, those world powers that have influence in Tel Aviv must counsel restraint to Benjamin Netanyahu.

By no means should diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear question be torpedoed by Israel. It should also be assured that atrocities such as the Gaza episode are not repeated.

Above all, the world must press Israel to honour the two-state solution that would allow the Palestinians to live in peace and with dignity in their own land.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2015

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