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.
New security images uncovered in Nancy Guthrie abduction case as FBI investigation continues
Virginia man charged with selling weapon used by Old Dominion university gunman
Boasberg blocks subpoenas against Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Hegseth announces Pentagon probe into deadly strike on Iranian school
Judge refuses to restrict public access to evidence in Charlie Kirk assassination case
Guilty verdict reached in first-ever antifa terrorism trial
Judge James Boasberg blocks DOJ subpoenas against Fed Chairman Jerome Powell
Poll: Majority of Americans Say Military Action in Iran ‘Necessary and Warranted’
FBI and UFC Team Up for Unprecedented Training Program
Top Iranian officials stroll Tehran streets at rally before midday explosion
Florida Republicans send SAVE Act–style proof-of-citizenship voting bill to DeSantis’ desk
Iran war enters next phase of destroying entire missile supply chain: Hegseth
Democrat Rep Josh Riley blasted as ‘hypocrite’ over ties to energy firm he criticizes on campaign trail
BREAKING: University of Virginia Hit With Bomb Threat Triggering Evacuations
Sheriff warns Nancy Guthrie suspect could ‘absolutely’ strike again, hints at motive
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.
New security images uncovered in Nancy Guthrie abduction case as FBI investigation continues
Virginia man charged with selling weapon used by Old Dominion university gunman
Boasberg blocks subpoenas against Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Hegseth announces Pentagon probe into deadly strike on Iranian school
Judge refuses to restrict public access to evidence in Charlie Kirk assassination case
Guilty verdict reached in first-ever antifa terrorism trial
Judge James Boasberg blocks DOJ subpoenas against Fed Chairman Jerome Powell
Poll: Majority of Americans Say Military Action in Iran ‘Necessary and Warranted’
FBI and UFC Team Up for Unprecedented Training Program
Top Iranian officials stroll Tehran streets at rally before midday explosion
Florida Republicans send SAVE Act–style proof-of-citizenship voting bill to DeSantis’ desk
Iran war enters next phase of destroying entire missile supply chain: Hegseth
Democrat Rep Josh Riley blasted as ‘hypocrite’ over ties to energy firm he criticizes on campaign trail
BREAKING: University of Virginia Hit With Bomb Threat Triggering Evacuations
Sheriff warns Nancy Guthrie suspect could ‘absolutely’ strike again, hints at motive
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.
