Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Ahmadinejad's re-election plays perfectly into the hard-line hand of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Given the Iranian leader's frequent Holocaust denial and ranting about wiping Israel off the face of the earth, Ahmadinejad's victory provides Netanyahu further reason to rattle sabers over Iran's nuclear ambitions. Netanyahu insists that Tehran must be prevented from developing nukes — by force, if necessary — to prevent a catastrophic attack on Israel.
The Iranian poll result also strengthens Netanyahu's warnings that Iran's backing of radical Islamist groups in Lebanon and Palestinian territories makes cutting deals with those anti-Israel forces unthinkable. With Ahmadinejad around to condemn the very existence of Israel for another four years, Netanyahu will find it easier to resist American demands that he negotiate with his enemies.