Likud Activists Express Optimism for Netanyahu's Re-election Amidst Election Night Uncertainty

Despite initial confusion and media presence at the Likud headquarters in Jerusalem on election night, activists expressed strong belief that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could still secure another term. Yakov Bardugo, ranked 11th on the Likud list, stated that "tomorrow Israel continues with Netanyahu's leadership as prime minister." Early exit poll results created a sense of bewilderment, but activists quickly began calculating potential outcomes, focusing on double envelopes and late-hour votes not included in the initial projections. They also hoped Netanyahu could persuade lawmakers from other parties to join his coalition, a tactic previously employed.

Activists cited encouraging results from Channel 14 and i24news polls, with some suggesting that the Arab vote's percentage might decrease, benefiting the right-wing bloc. "There are still 600,000 double envelopes, this changes the voting percentages of the Arabs. They dropped in mandates and whoever gets this will be the right, there are another eight mandates there," said Chaim Ashkenazi. Another activist suggested Netanyahu might invite Yair Lapid or even Gadi Eisenkot to join the government. Nitzan Yehuda, a Likud Central Committee member, expressed surprise at the Arab vote's impact, stating, "What, they will direct the country? I have no problem with their rights, sewage and that, but to start setting policy is not good, we are going to the wrong places."

Propaganda videos, including one depicting AI journalists critical of Netanyahu and another glorifying targeted assassinations in Gaza, were shown on large screens. These were followed by songs like "Bibi Bibi Ya Habibi" and "Ve'anachma," a revenge song adapted from a Religious Zionist youth event. The Likud version replaced "Palestinians" with "Philistines" in the lyrics. The mood shifted significantly when Channel 14 updated its projection to 62 mandates for the Netanyahu bloc around 1:00 AM, reigniting optimism. "80% of those who voted in the last hours are Likud, this is exactly like it was in 2015," declared veteran Likud activist Arik Ziv. Senior party officials, including Ze'ev Elkin, Moshe Saada, Boaz Bismuth, and Shlomo Karhi, arrived at headquarters. Karhi, when asked if Netanyahu would remain prime minister, responded, "Certainly. The people of Israel want him, the problem is there are those who hate the people of Israel."

Throughout the day, Netanyahu had warned of high voter turnout among Arab citizens, alleging they were attempting to "steal the elections." He posted images of Arab citizens voting and empty polling stations in Likud-leaning cities on social media, cautioning supporters about high Arab turnout versus low right-wing voter turnout. He claimed in a video, without providing proof, that "they are trying to steal the elections from us." One video was filmed in the Bat Yam municipality building, potentially violating election law against using public property for political propaganda.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar called the post-poll interpretations "ridiculous" and stated, "One thing seems quite clear: Likud is the largest party in Israel." Minister of Culture and Sport Miki Zohar warned that any attempt by Eisenkot, Liberman, or Bennett to form a government with Arab parties would be their "political end." Minister of Education Yoav Kisch advised the public to "wait for the real results" before making suggestions.