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.
Chris Cuomo Said He ‘Wouldn’t Be Surprised’ if Musk Gets Murdered Following Kirk Assassination
Video: Massive Crowds Turn Out for London Rally Following Death of Charlie Kirk With Some Estimates Hitting 1 Million
Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin lived with transgender partner who is now cooperating with FBI: Officials
Utah leaders urge unity following Charlie Kirk’s assassination: ‘Turning Point for America’
Who is Erika Kirk?: What to know about the late Charlie Kirk’s widow from their love story to his legacy
The Leadership We Need: Sec. Hegseth Says Pentagon is ‘Tracking’ Lefty Troops Celebrating Charlie Kirk’s Death Online
Another North Carolina Nightmare: Boy, 5, Shot Point Blank by Felon for Riding Bike Into Yard – Flashback
Trump praises FBI Director Kash Patel for speedy capture of Charlie Kirk assassin
‘Speak English, period’: GOP bill axes interpreter loophole in citizenship exam
Professor slammed for ‘despicable behavior’ with controverisal reposts on Charlie Kirk
Watchdogs: Child Predators May Exploit Popular Social Platform’s New Feature
Train attack video reignites fury over withheld footage of Austin Metcalf killing
Activists sound alarm on ‘deeply troubling’ poll showing support for Mamdani’s anti-Israel messaging
CNN’s Scott Jennings Lets Loose on Dems Over Charlie Kirk Killing: ‘That View Is Killing People’
Archaeologists Unearth Amazing Biblical Site in Jerusalem: It May Be the Site Where Christ Performed a Miracle
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.
Chris Cuomo Said He ‘Wouldn’t Be Surprised’ if Musk Gets Murdered Following Kirk Assassination
Video: Massive Crowds Turn Out for London Rally Following Death of Charlie Kirk With Some Estimates Hitting 1 Million
Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin lived with transgender partner who is now cooperating with FBI: Officials
Utah leaders urge unity following Charlie Kirk’s assassination: ‘Turning Point for America’
Who is Erika Kirk?: What to know about the late Charlie Kirk’s widow from their love story to his legacy
The Leadership We Need: Sec. Hegseth Says Pentagon is ‘Tracking’ Lefty Troops Celebrating Charlie Kirk’s Death Online
Another North Carolina Nightmare: Boy, 5, Shot Point Blank by Felon for Riding Bike Into Yard – Flashback
Trump praises FBI Director Kash Patel for speedy capture of Charlie Kirk assassin
‘Speak English, period’: GOP bill axes interpreter loophole in citizenship exam
Professor slammed for ‘despicable behavior’ with controverisal reposts on Charlie Kirk
Watchdogs: Child Predators May Exploit Popular Social Platform’s New Feature
Train attack video reignites fury over withheld footage of Austin Metcalf killing
Activists sound alarm on ‘deeply troubling’ poll showing support for Mamdani’s anti-Israel messaging
CNN’s Scott Jennings Lets Loose on Dems Over Charlie Kirk Killing: ‘That View Is Killing People’
Archaeologists Unearth Amazing Biblical Site in Jerusalem: It May Be the Site Where Christ Performed a Miracle
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.