Netanyahu pledges right-wing government as polls show Likud leading

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed supporters at the Likud headquarters in West Jerusalem on Tuesday, urging the formation of a right-wing government to safeguard Israel’s long-term security. He warned against relying on coalitions with Arab parties he described as opposed to Israel’s existence.

With more than half of the ballots counted, early projections indicated Netanyahu’s bloc would secure 56 seats, while the alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot was expected to win 49. Likud was estimated to obtain 27 seats, ahead of Eisenkot’s Yashar party, which was projected at 21 seats.

Netanyahu said the final election results would be confirmed in one or two days and acknowledged Likud’s position as the largest party in the Knesset. He also highlighted achievements 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 noted that no single bloc appears close to a governing majority, suggesting that the party securing the most seats may need to negotiate an uneasy 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 attempting to project success despite the lack of a clear path to a majority. 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.