Netanyahu sweeps to surprise Israeli election win

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swept to a stunning election victory Wednesday but quickly came under pressure from Washington to step back from hardline campaign promises over the conflict with the Palestinians. As beaten rival Isaac Herzog ruled out forming a unity government, the White House gave a tepid acknowledgement of Netanyahu's victory, with President Barack Obama yet to call to congratulate him. After a close-fought campaign, Netanyahu's rightwing Likud party confo