Netanyahu Claims Likud Lead as Israelis Face the Prospect of More Hard-Right Rule
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Exit polls put Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud ahead, but the numbers still point to a coalition scramble and no clear majority, while the prime minister again promised alignment with President Trump in a drive against Iran.
Benjamin Netanyahu said his Likud party emerged as the largest faction in the Knesset, though exit polls indicate that any coalition will fall short of the 61 seats required for a majority. Addressing a rally in Jerusalem, he called for a "right-wing, national, strong government" and framed the Iranian threat as the central justification for even more hard-line rule.
"Israel is facing a historic, one-time opportunity along with our friend President Trump to remove the Iranian threat once and for all," Netanyahu said.
He also asserted that "Iran is weaker than ever, Israel is stronger than ever," and thanked supporters for the election outcome. The vote, which saw a turnout exceeding 77 percent, is being treated as a referendum on Netanyahu's leadership since the October 7, 2023 attacks and could usher in another stretch of political paralysis, with the possibility of yet another election within months.