Netanyahu pushes hard-right coalition as Likud leads in a fragmented race
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a right-wing government, arguing it was necessary for Israel’s security, while early results showed Likud ahead but still far from a clear governing majority.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed supporters at the Likud headquarters in West Jerusalem on Tuesday, pressing for the creation of a hard-right government and framing it as essential to Israel’s long-term security. He also renewed his warning against any coalition dependence on Arab parties he portrayed as hostile to Israel’s existence.
With more than half of the ballots counted, early projections suggested Netanyahu’s bloc would win 56 seats, while the alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot was expected to take 49. Likud was projected to receive 27 seats, ahead of Eisenkot’s Yashar party, which was estimated at 21 seats.
Netanyahu said the final election results would be confirmed in one or two days and pointed to Likud’s position as the largest party in the Knesset. He also touted the record since taking office in 2022, including targeted operations against senior figures in militant groups and the creation of security zones in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.
"We have a historical opportunity together with United States President Donald Trump to remove the existential threat of Iran once and for all," Netanyahu added.
Political analysts said no bloc appears anywhere near a governing majority, meaning the party with the most seats may still face messy and unstable coalition talks. Former ambassador Alon Pinkas warned that opposition voters might reject any arrangement involving Netanyahu’s coalition, while senior Al Jazeera analyst Marwan Bishara said the prime minister was trying to spin the outcome as a success despite having no clear route to a majority. Dan Perry, a political commentator, said the speech was an attempt to cast the situation in the most favorable possible light after exit polls were released.