Netanyahu outlines achievements, future plans as Likud leads polls

What the report says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told supporters at Likud’s election headquarters in West Jerusalem on Tuesday that a right-wing government is needed to protect Israel’s long-term security, as early results from the country’s legislative election showed his party leading but not securing a clear path to power. Al Jazeera, citing Israeli media projections and Reuters, reported that with more than half the ballots counted, Netanyahu’s bloc was projected to win 56 seats, while the alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot was projected to win 49. Likud was projected to take about 27 seats, ahead of Eisenkot’s Yashar party.

Netanyahu said the final, or “true,” results would not be clear for another day or two, while also describing Likud as the largest party. In his speech, he highlighted what he portrayed as major security gains during his current term, including actions in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, and warned against relying on coalitions that include Arab parties. He also said Israel and the United States had a chance to remove Iran’s threat permanently.

The reporting added that a governing coalition may still be difficult to assemble. Al Jazeera analysts and former diplomats said the post-election environment could force parties into uncomfortable alliances, while opposition voters would likely resist any deal involving Netanyahu’s bloc. The broader significance is that even with a lead, Netanyahu may face another complex coalition process in a deeply divided parliament.