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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to form a “strong” new national government after exit polls showed his bloc leading in the Knesset election.
Addressing supporters of his Likud Party gathered in Jerusalem on Wednesday, Netanyahu said, “Likud is the largest political party in the country. We will form a strong new national government.”
Israel held its parliamentary election on Tuesday, with exit polls taking a dramatic turn. Although initial projections suggested the opposition bloc was ahead shortly after voting ended, the latest updates showed Netanyahu’s bloc regaining the lead.
According to Israeli media outlet Channel 12, Netanyahu’s bloc was projected to lead with 52 seats, while the alliance led by his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, was ahead in 49 seats. The Arab List was projected to lead in 19 seats. Likud was also ahead as the largest single party in the election.
Despite the lead held by Netanyahu’s party and bloc, neither side has secured the 61 seats required for a majority in the 120-member Knesset. As a result, the parties will have to navigate complex political negotiations to form the next government.
After learning that his bloc was ahead, Netanyahu appeared before supporters at Likud headquarters in Jerusalem. He said it would be premature to discuss forming a government at this stage and that he would wait for the “real results” before making a final decision.
However, Netanyahu made it clear that no government in Israel would be formed with the support of Arab parties.
Israeli Arab voters have secured a significant result in this election. With neither of the two main political blocs winning an outright majority, Arab parties could play a crucial role in determining the next government.
Meanwhile, opposition leader and Yashar Party chief Gadi Eisenkot addressed supporters at his party headquarters after the projections were released. Urging the public to wait for the final results, he said, “It is clear that the people of this country have voted for change and against Netanyahu’s failed rule.”
Calling on Netanyahu to accept the public’s lack of confidence and leave politics, Eisenkot said holding another election after such a high voter turnout would be a serious mistake.
Eisenkot also pledged to make every effort to form a responsible Zionist government that would include all parties. Source: Agencies.