TEL AVIV—Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu celebrated “a great victory” for himself and his Likud Party shortly after early exit polls were released following Tuesday’s election.
“Against all odds, a great victory for the Likud, for the nationalist camp led by the Likud, and for the people of Israel,” Netanyahu said in a statement on his Facebook page.
Netanyahu
performed much better than expected after facing months-long attacks from his political opponents. His party is now expected to lead the charge in forming a new government.
Zalman Shoval, a former Israeli ambassador to the United States, told reporters there is no doubt Netanyahu’s surge is the story of the election.
“The people in the press and media understand that for Netanyahu personally, and Likud, it’s a big victory,” Shoval said. “Mr. Netanyahu will undoubtedly set up the next government.
State Department Spokeswoman Marie Harf said Tuesday evening that she was not aware of the election results.
“I hadn’t seen them, just heard them from you,” she told CNN. “I think it’s too early to make predictions about what will happen here.”
Harf declined to discuss Netanyahu’s unpredicted surge in early exit polls.
