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.
Youngkin makes final push to define his legacy as Virginia chooses next governor
Newsom carves Issa’s home out of his district in Prop 50 map
Curtis Sliwa compares himself to Braveheart, vows to fight NYC’s socialist machine win or lose
Spanberger supporters confident Jay Jones will win despite texting controversy
‘Put on the Full Armor of God’: Congressman Sounds Alarm over Christian Persecution in Nigeria
Nicki Minaj Outrages Left, Gives Glowing Support for Trump’s Move to End Christian Slaughter in Nigeria
Taxpayer cost for suspected Charlie Kirk assassin’s death penalty case predicted by Utah commissioner
Trump admin responds to ‘Dilbert’ creator’s plea to ‘help save my life’ by expediting cancer treatment
Secret US Target List for Venezuela Cartel Leaked – Here’s Where They’ll Strike if Trump Signs Off: Report
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s Son-In-Law Running to Be Youngest Member Of Congress
Grade School Affiliated with Ohio Education Department Offers Quran Memorization Classes
Cuomo closes gap with Mamdani, almost margin-of-error race: Poll
Two Ancient Iraqi Churches Reopen After Brutal ISIS Attacks
Obama’s presence and Trump’s policies consume 11th-hour rally to keep NJ blue
Zohran Mamdani emerges as Republicans’ government shutdown boogeyman
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.
Youngkin makes final push to define his legacy as Virginia chooses next governor
Newsom carves Issa’s home out of his district in Prop 50 map
Curtis Sliwa compares himself to Braveheart, vows to fight NYC’s socialist machine win or lose
Spanberger supporters confident Jay Jones will win despite texting controversy
‘Put on the Full Armor of God’: Congressman Sounds Alarm over Christian Persecution in Nigeria
Nicki Minaj Outrages Left, Gives Glowing Support for Trump’s Move to End Christian Slaughter in Nigeria
Taxpayer cost for suspected Charlie Kirk assassin’s death penalty case predicted by Utah commissioner
Trump admin responds to ‘Dilbert’ creator’s plea to ‘help save my life’ by expediting cancer treatment
Secret US Target List for Venezuela Cartel Leaked – Here’s Where They’ll Strike if Trump Signs Off: Report
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s Son-In-Law Running to Be Youngest Member Of Congress
Grade School Affiliated with Ohio Education Department Offers Quran Memorization Classes
Cuomo closes gap with Mamdani, almost margin-of-error race: Poll
Two Ancient Iraqi Churches Reopen After Brutal ISIS Attacks
Obama’s presence and Trump’s policies consume 11th-hour rally to keep NJ blue
Zohran Mamdani emerges as Republicans’ government shutdown boogeyman
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.
