Trump Seeks to Take Credit for Netanyahu's Poll Performance
Despite the tight contest, US President Donald Trump has already taken credit for the comeback performance of Netanyahu, the Likud Party leader and incumbent prime minister
Jerusalem: Vote counting in Israel is still underway, with the election shaping up to be a close contest. According to the latest figures, as of 7:43 a.m. local time, with 55.4% of the votes counted, the bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is projected to win 55 seats, while the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar Party is projected to secure 49 seats.
The two Arab coalitions, the Joint List and Ra’am, are projected to win 12 and four seats, respectively. These are partial results and may change as counting continues. Votes cast through double envelopes, including those of soldiers, are counted later.
Despite the tight contest, US President Donald Trump has already taken credit for the comeback performance of Netanyahu, the Likud Party leader and incumbent prime minister. Trump cited a remark by Irving C. Schwartz suggesting that his endorsement had shifted the election’s momentum.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump quoted Schwartz as saying, “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. It all took place AFTER the Endorsement by President Trump, who only wants what is good for the Middle East, Israel, and the United States of America!”
Earlier, Trump was asked about the Israeli election by reporters after attending a rally in Texas. He claimed that his endorsement had helped Netanyahu.
“From exit polls, I’m hearing (Netanyahu) was doing very well. I think when the endorsement went out, it had helped him a lot,” Trump said.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu said the right-wing bloc had a “significant, decisive majority” among Jewish voters and those who support a Jewish state. He called for unity to form a strong national right-wing government.
According to Israeli media reports, Netanyahu opposed forming a government dependent on Arab parties, which he described as anti-Zionist. He alleged that some of these parties support Hamas and refer to Israeli soldiers as “murderers and war criminals.”
“We must establish a national, right-wing, strong government. That is what we must do,” Netanyahu said.
“It is simply forbidden that we should endanger Israel and establish a government that leans on Arab parties that are anti-Zionist,” he added.
The general election, the first since the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023, took place amid deep national divisions over security, political accountability, leadership and the independence of Israel’s democratic institutions.
Netanyahu, who has remained at the centre of Israeli politics for decades, faced a formidable challenge from former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and his Yashar Party, which had led in several opinion polls ahead of the vote.
