Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a victory speech to supporters of his Likud Party in the wee hours of Tuesday morning after his stunning, come-from-behind victory in Israel’s third successive elections.
Netanyahu came onstage singing his party song, and thanked his supporters for their hard work in securing the win.
“I remember our first victory in 1996. It was an historic victory,” Netanyahu said, in Hebrew. “But this victory, this time, is at least as sweet, if not sweeter. An even greater victory! Because it was a victory against all the odds.”
Netanyahu had trailed in polls until the final days, and still faces criminal indictment on corruption charges (which his supporters claim are baseless and politically motivated).
But voters rallied to his side for a variety of factors.
WATCH: Inside look at the dangerous cartel human smuggling tunnels still being used at border
Paul Pelosi charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run in Napa Valley
WATCH: Felony suspect’s ocean getaway unravels after 90-minute standoff with lifeguards
Covert DNA sample from Colorado man’s trash revives 44-year-old Texas murder case: report
Don Lemon Claims People Are Begging Him to Run for President and He’s ‘Totally Serious’ About Doing It
Olive Garden’s Never-Ending Pasta Regulation Becomes Unlikely Election Integrity Rallying Point for Conservatives
Rubio’s call to combat global funders of far-left terrorism could put Singham in crosshairs
Darline Graham considering running for full a Senate term as memorial services set for Lindsey Graham: report
Appeals court sets September hearing over dismissal of James Comey and Letitia James cases
Watch: The Time Gingrich Nailed Turncoat Megyn Kelly’s Clinton vs Trump Hypocrisy – ‘I Dare You – Say “Bill Clinton Sexual Predator”‘
Israeli Knesset dissolves after overnight legislative blitz, elections set for October
MAGA Declares Fox News Has ‘Joined the Fake Media’ After ‘Strange’ Coverage of Trump’s Big Speech
Democrat scrambles to meet Angel Mom after she blasts lawmakers to their faces for ignoring families’ pleas
Socialist-backed Dem who ripped the wealthy cracks state’s top 1%, tax returns show
Tyler Robinson’s father runs thriving hometown business as taxpayers face possible $10M defense bill: report
One may have been the indirect influence of American politics. Israeli voters watching Democrats choose Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) as their frontrunner may have been convinced to stick with their tough-minded leader. Netanyahu came to power in 2009 promising to oppose pressure from then-newly-elected President Barack Obama.
Netanyahu cited his record. “Do you know why [voters] put faith in us?” he asked. “Because they know that we brought the greatest decade in the history of the State of Israel.”
He talked about the country’s economic progress — which defied the recession that gripped much of the rest of the world — saying Israel had become “a country that is good to live in,” in terms of quality of life.
He also cited his good relationships with foreign leaders — not just with President Donald Trump, but also with Muslim nations.
One supporter waved a “Trump 2020: Keep America Great” prominently at the Likud victory party.
WATCH: Inside look at the dangerous cartel human smuggling tunnels still being used at border
Paul Pelosi charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run in Napa Valley
WATCH: Felony suspect’s ocean getaway unravels after 90-minute standoff with lifeguards
Covert DNA sample from Colorado man’s trash revives 44-year-old Texas murder case: report
Don Lemon Claims People Are Begging Him to Run for President and He’s ‘Totally Serious’ About Doing It
Olive Garden’s Never-Ending Pasta Regulation Becomes Unlikely Election Integrity Rallying Point for Conservatives
Rubio’s call to combat global funders of far-left terrorism could put Singham in crosshairs
Darline Graham considering running for full a Senate term as memorial services set for Lindsey Graham: report
Appeals court sets September hearing over dismissal of James Comey and Letitia James cases
Watch: The Time Gingrich Nailed Turncoat Megyn Kelly’s Clinton vs Trump Hypocrisy – ‘I Dare You – Say “Bill Clinton Sexual Predator”‘
Israeli Knesset dissolves after overnight legislative blitz, elections set for October
MAGA Declares Fox News Has ‘Joined the Fake Media’ After ‘Strange’ Coverage of Trump’s Big Speech
Democrat scrambles to meet Angel Mom after she blasts lawmakers to their faces for ignoring families’ pleas
Socialist-backed Dem who ripped the wealthy cracks state’s top 1%, tax returns show
Tyler Robinson’s father runs thriving hometown business as taxpayers face possible $10M defense bill: report
Exit polls projected that Likud had won roughly 36 or 37 seats in Israel’s 120-seat Knesset, nearly enough to form a governing majority with small conservative parties. The opposition Blue and White was projected to win 33 or 33.
Though it was not clear whether Netanyahu would have enough seats to reach a coalition of 61, it was presumed that he would be able to do so — and without the help of a smaller spoiler party that had stymied him twice before.
The vote-counting process is expected to take more than 48 hours, with final results only determined by Thursday morning.
“The time has come to end the cycle of elections and to establish a government in Israel!” Netanyahu concluded.
Story cited here.
