'Changed Face of Middle East': Netanyahu Triumphs as Likud Emerges as Largest Bloc
PM Benjamin Netanyahu celebrates Likud's success, citing military wins against Iran and Hamas while calling for a strong right-wing government.
In a high-energy address at the Likud election headquarters, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared his party's supremacy in the Israeli parliament as initial vote tallies began to surface. Celebrating the results, Netanyahu thanked his supporters and campaign workers, asserting that his leadership and the bravery of the Israeli military have fundamentally altered the geopolitical landscape of the region.
Military Triumphs and Strategic Wins
Addressing a cheering crowd, the Prime Minister highlighted a series of high-profile military operations as the cornerstone of his campaign's success. He credited "courageous decisions" and the resilience of the Israeli public for achieving what he described as "wonders" in the Middle East.
Netanyahu provided a detailed inventory of the regime's strategic strikes, specifically mentioning the elimination of key figures including Deif, Haniyeh, Sinwar, and Nasrallah. He further claimed that Israel has successfully established security zones deep within the territories of Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.
"We removed from ourselves an immediate existential threat—the danger of immediate destruction. We struck the Iranian regime; we brought it to the brink of ruin. Iran is weaker than ever; Israel is stronger than ever," Netanyahu proclaimed.
The Warning: A Threat Still Looms
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Netanyahu cautioned his supporters that the battle is far from over. He argued that as long as the "fanatical regime" in Tehran exists—a regime he claims is defined by the goal of eliminating Israel—the threat of destruction remains.
Looking toward international alliances, the Prime Minister suggested that with the support of "our wonderful friend President Trump," Israel possesses the power to remove this threat permanently.
Battle Against 'Propaganda'
The Prime Minister did not hold back in his criticism of the media and pre-election polling. He accused "propaganda channels" of attempting to engineer public consciousness by projecting low seat counts for Likud—citing figures of 18 or 19 seats—in a deliberate effort to demoralize voters and suppress turnout.
Netanyahu dismissed these projections as lies, stating that the results now make it "unequivocally clear" that Likud is the largest party in Israel.
Call for a Strong Nationalist Government
Beyond the success of his own party, Netanyahu claimed that the broader right-wing bloc has secured a "decisive majority" among the Zionist and Jewish public. Using this as a mandate, he issued an urgent call for nationalist parties to unite and form a strong, right-wing national government.
He vehemently opposed any coalition that would rely on Arab-led parliamentary factions, describing such a move as "forbidden." He accused these anti-Zionist parties of viewing Hamas as a charity organization and labeling Israeli soldiers as war criminals.
Responding to chants of "Shame!" from the crowd regarding his political rivals, Netanyahu mocked center-left politicians currently negotiating legislative agreements, questioning the viability and morality of their potential arrangements.