The word “magician” is too weak to describe this stunning achievement, which isn’t solely a result of his political abilities. His magic, as in countless other occasions during his long career, was mixed with something else – destiny. Cosmic wizardry.

The coronavirus pandemic arrived with inconceivably perfect timing from his perspective, a moment before the bloc elected by his opponents – which originally numbered 62 Knesset members – began pushing through laws that would have prevented him from running for prime minister.