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Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu leaving the party's Beer Sheva headquarters on Tuesday.
(Tess Scheflan / Jini)
Last update - 09:39 11/02/2009
Netanyahu: Right-wing led by Likud won a clear victory
By Haaretz Service and News Agencies
Tags: israel news 

Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu declared victory in Tuesday's parliamentary election as he addressed supporters in a speech early Wednesday, despite exit polls that predicted his party narrowly coming second to the ruling Kadima Party.

Click here for exclusive Haaretz coverage of the elections in Israel

However, the exit polls also indicate that Likud is in a better position than Kadima to lead a coalition because of a strong showing by other nationalist parties.
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"I've spoken to party leaders," Netanyahu said, "and we have agreed to begin negotiations on forming a new government as soon as tomorrow."

"Even if exit polls are accurate, there is no doubt regarding the only conclusion they point to: the Israeli people have said their word in a clear fashion, the nationalist bloc, led by Likud, won a clear victory," Netanyahu added.

"The question is not what the polls say. The question is what the reality is. From this day on, the right wing bloc rises to an absolute majority in the Knesset," the Likud chair went on to say.

"There is no doubt regarding our own movement's meteoric rise. In the last Knesset we had only 12 seats, 10% of the Knesset. We have more than doubled our power and grown more than any other party," Netanyahu continued.

"The rise of the right-wing camp and the Likud can only mean one thing, the people want change," Netanyahu exclaimed. "The people want one path. Our path won and it will lead the people."

Likud members, meanwhile, were quick to stress that Kadima's apparent win did not mean it would necessarily be chosen to form the next coalition.

"I am certain that Netanyahu will be the next prime minister," said Likud lawmaker Gilad Erdan. "Netanyahu has a clear advantage because the right wing parties have a larger bloc. The test is not which party gets the most votes, but which candidate has the best chance to form a coalition, and that person is Benjamin Netanyahu."

Netanyahu, meanwhile, phoned Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman just after the exit polls were released, apparently to discuss the future of the next coalition.

Former minister Silvan Shalom, another member of Likud, said Kadima was "delusional" to declare such a quick win. A government led by Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni was unrealistic, said Shalom, adding that Likud was the obvious choice for leading the next government.

Public Security Minister Avi Dichter (Kadima) responded to Shalom by saying: "Tzipi Livni is the leader of the State of Israel from today until the next Knesset elections."

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  • Watch Israel election results as they come in
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      1.   Congratulations to the win for the right! 22:55  |  Johnny 10/02/09
      2.   With whom could Livni form a majority? 22:59  |  Fortuna Benmayor 10/02/09
      3.   As I knew it there is no Center ............ 23:01  |  Esther 10/02/09
      4.   Right Wingers have won 23:03  |  Brod 10/02/09
      5.   no! 23:06  |  why 10/02/09
      6.   Unstable Nation Means Unstable Govt. 23:16  |  Binyamin 10/02/09
      7.   Likud WON!!! Bibi will be Next PM 23:22  |  Baruch Gold 10/02/09
      8.   exit polls mean nothing 23:35  |  Jack 10/02/09
      9.   Likud LOST!!! Way to blow it bibi 23:41  |  truthbeborn 10/02/09
      10.   #3 23:43  |  doron 10/02/09
      11.   Livni Betrayed Kadima`s Values 23:50  |  Baruch Gold 10/02/09
      12.   baruch 00:09  |  Axel 11/02/09
      13.   Election 00:09  |  Ben 11/02/09
      14.   Viable Kadima Scenarios... 00:18  |  Brendan 11/02/09
      15.   Lets wait.... 00:32  |  Ariks 11/02/09
      16.   Bibi will still be the PM 00:52  |  Marco 11/02/09
      17.   Once upon the time in Israel 01:12  |  Efi 11/02/09
      18.   #6 Binyamin - Unlike those you so admire 02:07  |  *BEN JABO 11/02/09
      19.   Congreatluations 02:17  |  George 11/02/09
      20.   Form a government? 02:25  |  Mark Lincoln 11/02/09
      21.   what are you doing in hebron? 03:36  |  roberto 11/02/09
      22.   Iran, Hamas, Hezbullah Better Warch Out 07:58  |  Scott L. Havsy 11/02/09
      23.   Democrazy in action 09:39  |  MAJ 11/02/09
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