Golan Claims Victory, Seeks Arab Parties' Partnership

Yair Golan, chairman of the Democratic Party, announced this morning that the "change bloc" has secured a majority to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He stated this majority relies on votes from Arab parties, excluding the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) factions from the "Zionist calculation." However, updated results show this gap narrowing, with the current coalition gaining ground to 56 seats.

Golan asserted that the "change bloc," when combined with the Joint List and Ra'am, holds a parliamentary majority in the 26th Knesset. He called for the formation of a "change government" in partnership with the Arab public and its representatives. Simultaneously, Golan criticized the Haredi parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, claiming they do not represent a Zionist stance. He emphasized the numerical advantage of the Zionist lists within the opposition bloc.

Golan's approach excludes Haredi parties from his definition of Zionist and thus from potential political partners. He contrasted this with Arab parties, some of whose members have made statements supporting Hamas, whom he considers potential government partners. As of the latest updates, with approximately 60% of votes counted nationwide, the Likud party strengthened to 28 seats and Otzma Yehudit to 7, bringing the coalition bloc to 56 seats. The Democratic Party, meanwhile, dropped to 8 seats.

These interim results place the total seats for the "change bloc" along with Arab parties at 64 seats, while the counting of remaining votes and double envelopes continues at the Central Elections Committee.