Bennett Declares Victory Over Netanyahu Based on Early Projections
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett declared victory in the elections, stating Benjamin Netanyahu had lost and a new government would be formed. However, early exit polls from Channel 14 projected a majority for the right-wing bloc with 62 seats, contradicting Bennett's claims. Bennett's party, Together, was estimated to receive 11 seats in the updated poll. The report detailed seat projections for various parties, including Likud and Yesh Atid, and noted potential shifts in the political landscape.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Naftali Bennett declared Benjamin Netanyahu lost the election and a new government would be formed.
- Channel 14's updated poll projected a right-wing bloc majority of 62 seats.
- Bennett's Together party was estimated to win 11 seats in the updated poll.
- The poll indicated Likud would receive 31 seats and Gadi Eisenkot's party 20 seats.
- Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Lieberman, was projected to fall below the electoral threshold.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, speaking at the headquarters of his Together party, declared victory in the elections before official results were known. He asserted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had lost and that the "government of October 7th" would be replaced. Bennett celebrated the win of the "alliance of servants" and claimed that leaders of the "correction bloc" were already coordinating to form a new government. He also expressed gratitude to his partner Yair Lapid, though Lapid was not present on stage.
However, an updated poll by Channel 14 presented a contrasting picture, projecting a majority for the right-wing bloc with 62 seats, while Bennett's party was estimated to receive 11 seats. The report highlighted a significant discrepancy between Bennett's triumphant speech and the poll results, which indicated a potential path for the right-wing bloc to form a government.
Bennett's speech emphasized a decisive defeat for Netanyahu, stating, "The people of Israel rose and spoke their mind: Netanyahu has lost and the government of October 7th will go home! The evasion coalition collapsed from 68 to 50 mandates." This declaration came as vote counting was just beginning, with notable differences emerging between various television exit polls.
In contrast to Bennett's claims, the updated Channel 14 poll showed the right-wing bloc strengthening to 62 seats, while the left-wing bloc dropped to 40 seats, and Arab parties secured 18. Bennett's own party remained at 11 seats in this poll, with Likud, led by Netanyahu, projected to win 31 seats and Gadi Eisenkot's party receiving 20.
Bennett also discussed coordination with political partners, particularly Yair Lapid, stating that leaders of the "correction bloc" were in communication and aligned. He pledged to form a "Zionist alliance of servants" government focused on performance and responsibility. Despite these statements, Lapid did not join Bennett on stage, although Bennett personally thanked him during the speech.
Further analysis from the poll suggested that Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party might fall below the electoral threshold, having initially been projected to win four seats. The report detailed the seat allocations in the updated poll, including Likud with 31, Yesh Atid with 20, and Bennett's Together party with 11.
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