Benjamin Netanyahu looked set to return for another term as Israeli prime minister after his Likud party secured a substantial win over its main rival, Isaac Herzog’s Zionist Union. The results are a major victory for the right-wing leader, who had been lagging in the polls.
Yesterday evening, Netanyahu had already declared a “great victory” after exit polls showed the two main leaders tying with 27 seats each. Herzog, meanwhile, refused to concede and claimed it was “still an open game”.
Early today, however, with 99 per cent of the ballots counted, Likud was set to gain 30 Knesset seats, compared to 24 for the Zionist Union.
“The reality isn’t waiting on us,” Netanyahu stated soon after, adding: “The citizens of Israel expect us to quickly put together a leadership that will work for the sake of the country’s security, economy and society as we promised to do, and that is what I will do.”
Zionist’s Union Herzog and Tzipi Livni sounded a more sombre note, declaring that it was “not a simple morning for us and for those who believe in our way.”
The rest of the vote broke down with 14 seats for the Joint List, followed by Yesh Atid with 11, the new Kulanu party with 10, Naftali Bennet’s Jewish Home with eight, Shas with seven, both United Torah Judaism and Yisrael Beiteinu with six, and Meretz with four. These are not final figures.
Turnout was approximately 72 per cent, higher than during the 2013 election. Turnout amongst Palestinian citizens was estimated at 67-68 per cent, up from 54 per cent in 2013, but lower than the 70 per cent mark that some thought possible.
Netanyahu must now assemble a coalition in order to return as prime minister – a fourth term that would make him Israel’s longest serving leader. Along with traditional right-wing allies, Netanyahu will need to attract the support of a centrist faction such as Moshe Kahlon’s Kulanu.
In response to the prospect of another Netanyahu-led government, Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said that the Palestinians “will speed up, pursue and intensify” all diplomatic efforts, including efforts to bring Israelis to trial at the International Criminal Court.
On Monday, Netanyahu vowed there would be no Palestinian state should he secure re-election. On election day, meanwhile, the Likud leader published a video claiming that “the right-wing government is in danger” because “Arab voters” were “coming out in droves to the polls”.
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