Netanyahu confident of Likud triumph
Declaring this election a solid victory for Israel's right-wing camp, Benjamin Netanyahu announces he is confident Likud will be tasked with forming next government
He may have come in second, but his bloc is undoubtedly the key force to be reckoned with. Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu addressed party members and activists who gathered in Tel Aviv late Tuesday night as the official results begin trickling in.
With 40.6% of the ballots counted, Kadima is still leading, with 22.9% of the vote but Likud is close behind with 21.8% of the vote. Yisrael Beiteinu and Labor are in third and fourth place, with 13.1% and 10.1% of the vote, respectively.
Shas has 8.8%, with United Torah Judaism next at 3.6% and then Meretz with 3.2%. National Union has 3.0%, with Hadash close behind with 2.9%, Habayit Hayehudi with 2.7% and United Arab List-Ta'al with 2.5%. Balad, with 1.9% is teetering just below the 2% threshold
"The Israeli people have spoken loud and clear, our way has triumphed and we will lead with it," said Netanyahu, going on to say he was confident he would be the one tasked with forming a "large, stable government."
"The national camp led by the Likud has clearly won the edge," said Netanyahu. "The question is not what the polls say, but what the reality does. In the outgoing Knesset, if you recall, the national camp
only had 50 mandates, and today it has won an absolute majority."
The Likud currently has 12 seats in the Knesset, and is now expected to win 28 – more than doubling its power.
Netanyahu is set to meet with Yisrael Beitenu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman on Wednesday to commence negotiations for the formation of a right-wing bloc that will block Kadima, Likud sources said.
