Netanyahu urges patriotic right-wing unity as Likud leads the vote
Select a version of the text written from a presumed ideological perspective. This is not the original text, but a hypothetical version — how someone with that viewpoint might have phrased it. Tapping the current version again will return to the original or select cleaned version.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a right-wing coalition is vital for Israel’s security, as early results placed Likud first, though still short of an outright majority.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to supporters at the Likud headquarters in West Jerusalem on Tuesday, urging the formation of a strong right-wing government to protect Israel’s long-term security. He warned that relying on coalitions with Arab parties, which he said stand against Israel’s existence, would be a grave mistake.
With more than half of the ballots counted, early projections showed Netanyahu’s bloc on course for 56 seats, while the alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot was expected to secure 49. Likud was projected to win 27 seats, ahead of Eisenkot’s Yashar party, which was forecast at 21 seats.
Netanyahu said the final election results would be confirmed in one or two days and underscored Likud’s standing as the largest party in the Knesset. He also highlighted the achievements of his leadership since taking office in 2022, including targeted operations against senior figures in militant groups and the establishment 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 observed that no single bloc appears close to a governing majority, meaning the leading party may still need to assemble a difficult coalition. Former ambassador Alon Pinkas warned that opposition voters might resist any deal involving Netanyahu’s coalition, while senior Al Jazeera analyst Marwan Bishara said the prime minister was trying to present the results as a victory despite the absence of a clear majority path. Dan Perry, a political commentator, described the speech as an effort to present the situation in the most favorable light after exit polls were released.