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.
Denver man found dead at bottom of national park canyon beneath steep drop-offs
US offers $20 million reward for information on Iran’s nuclear program
Trump highlights NASA nuclear-powered Mars spacecraft mission planned for 2028
SPLC was once suspected of more crimes than current charges show
Armed Illegal, Freed in Biden Era, Detained at White House
Meghan Markle’s Father Could Die in Prison If He’s Convicted on Child Porn Charges
Three States Carry Out Executions on the Same Day in Rare Occurrence
Newly Elected Congressional Democrat Due to Face Felony Charge in Court
Netanyahu says US aid cut makes way for ‘mutual investment’ amid unclear plans for military cooperation
Ron Johnson presses to delay Senate GOP leadership elections: ‘Political malpractice’
Secret Service arrests armed Venezuelan migrant near White House over alleged Trump assassination threat
Far-Left Media Outlet Abruptly Folds, Causing Conservatives to Dig Up Some of Its Most Insane Headlines
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to what happens next on Capitol Hill
Trump’s move from Wiles to Miller signals major tactical shift for governing without Congress
Watch: NBA Players Can’t Contain Themselves When Singer Desecrates Anthem with LGBT Flag
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.
Denver man found dead at bottom of national park canyon beneath steep drop-offs
US offers $20 million reward for information on Iran’s nuclear program
Trump highlights NASA nuclear-powered Mars spacecraft mission planned for 2028
SPLC was once suspected of more crimes than current charges show
Armed Illegal, Freed in Biden Era, Detained at White House
Meghan Markle’s Father Could Die in Prison If He’s Convicted on Child Porn Charges
Three States Carry Out Executions on the Same Day in Rare Occurrence
Newly Elected Congressional Democrat Due to Face Felony Charge in Court
Netanyahu says US aid cut makes way for ‘mutual investment’ amid unclear plans for military cooperation
Ron Johnson presses to delay Senate GOP leadership elections: ‘Political malpractice’
Secret Service arrests armed Venezuelan migrant near White House over alleged Trump assassination threat
Far-Left Media Outlet Abruptly Folds, Causing Conservatives to Dig Up Some of Its Most Insane Headlines
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to what happens next on Capitol Hill
Trump’s move from Wiles to Miller signals major tactical shift for governing without Congress
Watch: NBA Players Can’t Contain Themselves When Singer Desecrates Anthem with LGBT Flag
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.
