Mario calls yesterday’s Israeli election result “a sweeping, unambiguous victory for Netanyahu,” and a strategist for the prime minister concurs, telling National Review, “This was a stunning election.”

“This is a big statement from the people of Israel, that they want the prime minister to continue standing firm” against threats to Israeli security, says the Netanyahu strategist, speaking from Israel. He notes the several regional dangers threatening Israel — most importantly the threat of a nuclear Iran — as well as a climate of anti-Semitism sweeping through Europe.

Netanyahu also benefited, the source says, from the backlash against “unprecedented” efforts by the Obama administration to oust him. The animus of the current White House toward Israel’s prime minister — and its hope that Tuesday would end his time in power – is well known, but now the U.S. Senate is investigating the OneVoice Movement, a nonprofit that backed the anti-Netanyahu Victory 15 campaign while receiving $350,000 in taxpayer dollars, via a State Department grant. According to Fox News, Victory 15 “has been advised by former Obama campaign aides, including his top field organizer, Jeremy Bird.”

The backlash is good for Israel: “The Obama administration would have held the mortgage on Herzog” had he become prime minister, says the strategist, likely trying to coerce him into backing a dangerous U.S.—Iran deal, a two-state solution, and other Obama administration aims that would ultimately work against Israeli security.

“Obama has a majority disapproval in America, and he has a majority disapproval in Israel,” says the source. “Israelis see him as uniquely hostile to their security interests, and to them personally.” While they continue to recognize that “the United States is the best friend Israel has ever had,” “they cannot sit around and watch the clock run out” on Iran’s nuclear campaign.

Israel’s improving economy also bolstered Netanyahu, says the source, citing job creation, military pay raises, and infrastructure growth.

“Really, it comes down to this: We had the better candidate for prime minister and a better message on the issues, and people turned out.”