Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Oct 28: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed that his endorsement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had changed the course of Israel’s election, arguing that the veteran leader’s expected decisive defeat could now turn into a stalemate or even a victory.
“When President Trump endorsed Bibi Netanyahu, the whole tide turned, and now, rather than a decisive defeat for a Great Prime Minister, it looks like a big come-from-behind stalemate, or even a WIN for Netanyahu,” Trump said in a post shared under his name. He added that his endorsement was motivated by what he believed was best for the Middle East, Israel and the United States.
Trump’s remarks came after exit polls following Tuesday’s election indicated a close contest between Netanyahu’s Likud-led bloc and the opposition alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot. Neither side appeared to have secured the 61 seats required for a majority in Israel’s 120-member Knesset, raising the possibility of prolonged coalition negotiations.
Exit polls from Kan 11 and Channel 13 projected the rival blocs at 51 seats each, while Channel 12 gave Netanyahu’s alliance a narrow lead of 52 seats to 49. The final outcome remained uncertain as vote counting continued.
Netanyahu called on right-wing parties to unite behind a new government, while Eisenkot maintained that the electorate had rejected the incumbent prime minister’s leadership. Neither leader had established a clear path to securing a governing majority.
Addressing supporters at Likud headquarters in Jerusalem early Wednesday, Netanyahu ruled out forming a government dependent on Arab political parties and called for unity among right-wing and Zionist groups.
“We must put in place a strong government of the right,” Netanyahu said.
“The Jewish and Zionist majority must unite. It is out of the question to have a government that is backed by Arab parties,” he added.
Netanyahu also claimed that his bloc had secured a “clear, decisive majority”, although the exit-poll projections did not indicate that either main alliance had enough seats to govern independently.
The two Arab-led political groupings could play a significant role in determining the coalition arithmetic, with projections suggesting they could collectively secure around 17 to 18 seats. However, Netanyahu’s rejection of their support and Eisenkot’s reluctance to form a government with them could complicate negotiations.
The closely contested election could leave Netanyahu serving as caretaker prime minister while parties attempt to assemble a coalition. If neither camp succeeds in securing a governing majority, Israel could face another election.
Voter turnout reached 77.7%, according to the Central Elections Committee, marking the highest participation in more than two decades and exceeding the 2022 figure by around seven percentage points.
The Joint List, an alliance of Arab parties, welcomed the strong turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel. Faten Gattas, a candidate with the alliance, said, “We refuse the occupation and racism, and we will remain here,” as supporters gathered at its headquarters in Nazareth.
Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute, described the exit-poll projections as a major setback for Netanyahu’s coalition but cautioned that they did not establish Eisenkot as the clear winner.
While Trump attributed the shift in Netanyahu’s electoral prospects to his endorsement, the available projections pointed to an inconclusive contest. The final seat tally and the ability of the rival camps to secure coalition partners will determine who can form Israel’s next government.