Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged early Wednesday to form a new government following Knesset elections that produced closely contested results, calling for a strong right-wing government and rejecting any coalition that relies on the support of Arab parties.
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Speaking to supporters in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said Likud is the largest party in Israel, urging his supporters not to be influenced by what he described as misleading propaganda. He said the right-wing camp has a significant majority that should be used to form a strong national government.
Netanyahu stressed the need to unite within the Zionist and Jewish camp, warning against putting Israel at risk by forming a government dependent on Arab lists. He accused politicians and media outlets of attempting to promote such an option.
In a related development, Netanyahu praised Israel's military operations, saying his country had achieved "miracles that changed the face of the Middle East." He added that strikes targeting the Iranian regime had pushed it into what he described as its most difficult phase.
He also pledged to continue working with the U.S. president to eliminate the Iranian threat once and for all, stressing that his government would continue addressing the security challenges facing Israel.
Polling stations closed at 10 p.m. on Tuesday following a contest for the Knesset's 120 seats. Netanyahu sought to remain in office, while opposition forces entered the election seeking to end his rule and form a new government.
The election is held under a proportional representation system, under which an electoral list must receive at least 3.25% of valid votes to participate in the allocation of seats. Surplus-vote agreements between parties also contribute to determining the distribution of remaining seats.
While exit polls show Eisenkot's camp leading in some projections, they do not determine who will become the next prime minister. The formation of the next government will depend on the final distribution of Knesset seats and the ability of the competing blocs to secure sufficient support within parliament.
Source: Cairo News
