Netanyahu claims 'clear majority' among Zionist voters, rules out Arab parties
The prime minister stopped short of declaring victory but ruled out a government relying on Arab parties. Eisenkot and Bennett vow to form a new government.
Archive image · Photo: U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed supporters at Likud's election headquarters in Jerusalem overnight. "The right-wing bloc has a clear, decisive majority among the Zionist public," he said, calling for a "right-wing, national, strong government." Netanyahu did not declare victory, but said a government relying on "anti-Zionist Arab parties" was unthinkable. He said Israel, together with U.S. President Donald Trump, had "a historic, one-time opportunity" to remove the Iranian threat "once and for all."
Gadi Eisenkot said the exit polls showed a "lack of confidence" in Netanyahu and pledged to form a new government: "The people decided in favor of change." Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, whose party could win 12 to 14 seats according to projections, said: "We will do everything, without ego, to form a Zionist government of the alliance of those who serve." Netanyahu ally Gideon Saar said "the celebrations on the left are premature."
According to AP, the easiest path for Eisenkot would be a deal with Arab-led parties, projected at about 18 seats, though that could be politically difficult. Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot have ruled out a formal partnership with them. Netanyahu’s allies are likely to brand such an alliance illegitimate. A minority government or new elections early next year are also possible.