Festive atmosphere was recorded at the Likud headquarters in the nation's buildings and the party welcomes the achievement of religious Zionism • Netanyahu: "Israelis want a strong and stable right-wing government"
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu // Photo: Mark Israel Salem
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Likud activists last night (Tuesday) and declared victory in the Knesset elections, following the publication of the results of the samples.
Netanyahu wrote on the social network Twitter: "Citizens of Israel - thank you. You gave a huge victory to the right and the Likud under my leadership. "On the Israeli economy, the security of Israel and the Land of Israel. That is what we will do. Love you."
The Likud found it difficult to hide their satisfaction tonight with the publication of the samples on television channels, at 10:00 PM.
Prime Minister Netanyahu's party was able to get more votes than recent polls had predicted, but it seems that the party's battle will now focus on the size of the blocs, and especially on the question of whether the bloc will win at least 61 seats.
Following the publication of the results of the samples, Prime Minister Netanyahu took the opportunity to speak with his partners in the bloc. In a conversation with the chairman of Religious Zionism, Bezalel Smutrich, Netanyahu congratulated him on his achievements in the samples, where his party won 7 seats.
According to the announcement made at the end of the conversation, Netanyahu said: "Congratulations to religious Zionism, we go together in partnership."
Netanyahu had a lengthy conversation with Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, and congratulated him as well.
Afterwards, he also spoke with the chairman of Torah Judaism, MK Moshe Gafni, who for many minutes did not answer calls from Netanyahu's office.
When the samples were published last night, the former chairman of the coalition, MK David Bitan (Likud), referred to the possibility of persuading Bennett to join the Netanyahu-led government and said: "Both Bennett and Smutrich need to negotiate not easy." Bitan also referred to the collapse of Gideon Saar's new hope party, saying that he "believes that Elkin and Saar can be returned to the Likud."
Coalition chairman MK Miki Zohar (Likud) added in an interview here 11: "If Saar wants to save his political career, he should return to the Likud."
Election day itself went a little less smoothly at Likud headquarters.
The collapse of the computer system in the morning and low voting rates in the party strongholds at the beginning of the day, led the prime minister and his people to start the Guevald campaign in the early afternoon.
During the day, Netanyahu traveled around well-known Likud strongholds, such as Bat Yam, Be'er Sheva, and more (for the launch of the rocket into the Negev capital during Netanyahu's visit, see separate article).
Netanyahu also arrived at the home of singer Eden Bazan Zaken, after a response appeared on one of his live broadcasts from the singer's official page, which read: "Come on."
The rude response surprised quite a few surfers because very recently the singer recorded a duet with Netanyahu for the song "I have love" by Arik Einstein.
A few minutes after the publication, Ben Zaken explained that she had been hacked on Instagram.
Her associates even presented proof that she was not the one who recorded the things.
According to Likud members, in cities that are considered party strongholds in the south, turnout was ten percent lower than in previous elections.
Campaigners said the prime minister instructed Likud MKs to go south and spur people to go out and vote.
According to the party's announcement, Netanyahu said: "We are in trouble. The voting rates in the Likud strongholds are not high enough. I ask you to text all your friends. The Likud members must be put to the vote.
In the evening, towards the closing of the polls, the Likud members actually sounded calmer, in talks not to quote.
According to data held in the early evening hours, the Likud's situation is actually good and it has passed the 31 seats.
Senior officials claim that together with Smutrich, the road to 61 has been strengthened.
