Netanyahu talks about a "decisive majority" despite his stumble in the elections

- In statements he made early Wednesday morning, after exit polls indicated that his Likud party is the largest in the Israeli parliamentary (Knesset) elections but does not have a majority to form a government, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the results show that his right-wing camp has the support of a “decisive majority among the Zionist and Jewish public.” Speaking from his party headquarters in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said: “Two things are clear; the first is that the Likud Party is the largest party in Israel...

He added: "The second thing that has become clear is that the right-wing camp enjoys a large and decisive majority among the Zionist public - a decisive majority - and for this reason I said, and I repeat, that we must form a strong national government, a right-wing government." Netanyahu attacked the Arab parties, describing them as "anti-Zionist" and claiming that they "support the destruction of Israel." He also rejected the idea of ​​cooperating with them to form a government.

Expectations indicate that Arab parties will obtain a record number of seats. He said: “These are Palestinian parties, or anti-Zionist parties, that support the destruction of Israel.

Exit polls show that Netanyahu's camp is tied with the opposition camp or slightly ahead of it (52 seats versus 49). However, this number remains far short of the majority needed to form the government, and also reflects a decline in popular support, compared to the 68 seats it previously controlled.

In his speech, Benjamin Netanyahu thanked many of his supporters, including “US President Donald Trump and God.” “Together with our great friend President Trump, we are determined to eliminate this threat once and for all,” he said, referring to the war on Iran.

He also thanked the members of the Likud Party, its partners in the government and coalition, his wife and children, and the soldiers of the Israeli army, and stated: “In conclusion, I would like to thank the Creator of the world, who gives me the strength to continue working for the immortality of Israel, our nation, and our beloved state - our only state.” He continued: “I would like to tell you: We have defeated our enemies, and we are the ones who will shape the future...