Netanyahu Bloc Leads as 21.4% of Votes Counted in Israeli Election

With 21.4% of the votes tallied in Israel's general election, the Likud party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is currently the largest party with 32 seats. A total of 1,216,002 votes have been counted so far. Netanyahu addressed his supporters late Tuesday night, stating, "This is just the prelude, we will wait for the final results. We must establish a strong national-right government." He also attempted to delegitimize a potential "change bloc" government, which he claimed would rely on "anti-Zionist Arab parties that advocate for the elimination of the state," warning that "this must not come to fruition."

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party and a candidate for prime minister, spoke at his party's headquarters after the election polls closed. He stated that "it would be a mistake to go to additional elections." Eisenkot emphasized that "millions of Israelis are fed up with the culture of lies" and voted for universal conscription, vowing to "do everything in my power to establish a Zionist conscription government." He promised, "The era of draft evasion is over," and pledged to represent all Israelis, framing the election not as a victory of one side over another, but as a "victory for the entire people of Israel."

Eisenkot further outlined his vision for a future government, stating it would be "committed to recognizing a Jewish and democratic State of Israel, committed to the values of the Declaration of Independence, to passing a law for universal service, and to dismantling Hamas." He also expressed hope for an end to the "division and incitement that has become part of our lives," suggesting Israel is heading towards "a new era of hope, mutual responsibility, and camaraderie."