Netanyahu Calls for Right-Wing Government After Israeli Election Results

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded overnight Tuesday into Wednesday to the election results, addressing Likud supporters at the party’s headquarters. In his speech, Netanyahu highlighted the results showing Likud as Israel’s largest party, called for the formation of a strong national right-wing government, and warned against establishing a coalition dependent on Arab parties.

After thanking Likud activists, party candidates, and his coalition partners, Netanyahu reviewed Israel’s military achievements over the past three years. He cited the elimination of senior Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian regime officials, as well as the establishment of security zones in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.

“Iran is weaker than ever, and Israel is stronger than ever,” Netanyahu declared. “But the campaign is not yet over. As long as the Iranian regime continues to exist, it will seek to destroy Israel. Together with our wonderful friend, President Trump, we have the power to eliminate this threat once and for all.”

Netanyahu Urges Supporters to Await Official Results

The prime minister called for patience as the official election results are expected to be released over the next two days.

“Likud is the largest party in Israel,” Netanyahu said, accusing media outlets of attempting to manipulate public perception through misleading election polls. “The propaganda channels engineered public opinion. Likud was supposedly getting 18 seats, 19 seats. They knew all along that it was a lie. They tried to discourage you, simply discourage you, from going to the polls.”

Netanyahu insisted that the Israeli right holds a clear majority among Jewish and Zionist voters. “The right has a clear majority among Israel’s Jewish and Zionist public,” he said. “The right-wing bloc has a decisive majority among the Zionist public, the Jewish public, and all those who support the Jewish state. That is why I said, and I repeat, that we must establish a strong, national, right-wing government.”

Netanyahu Warns Against Coalition Dependent on Arab Parties

Netanyahu also warned against the possibility of forming a government reliant on the support of Arab political parties, sharply criticizing political figures promoting such an arrangement. “We must not, absolutely must not, endanger Israel by establishing a government that depends on anti-Zionist Arab parties,” he said.

He accused those parties of opposing Israel’s existence, describing Hamas as a charitable organization, and labeling Israeli soldiers war criminals.

Netanyahu's remarks underscored his determination to form a right-wing coalition as Israel awaits the final election results.