Jacob Bardugo addressed Tuesday evening the results of exit polls for the 26th Knesset elections, claiming that Likud under Benjamin Netanyahu proved once again its strength as Israel’s largest party. According to him, opposition party leaders have no way to form a government without relying on the Arab parties.
1+“First of all, clearly Likud is the largest party,” Bardugo said, adding that Netanyahu is proving the public wants his leadership to continue, particularly because of his security policy. According to him, Israel’s achievements against Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah are part of the answer to criticism leveled at the prime minister in recent years.
Addressing possible gaps between the polls, Bardugo expressed confidence in the results of Shlomo Filber’s poll. He estimated that within 48 hours the picture will become clearer and that the real results will be closer to the Channel 14 poll.
Bardugo also addressed the possibility of forming a government led by opposition parties, claiming they would need to rely on 17 Knesset members from the Arab parties by their count. According to him, such reliance—especially after the events of October 7—cannot serve as a basis for a stable government.
1+He went on to criticize Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Golan, claiming they have no reason to celebrate the poll results. According to him, Netanyahu enjoys high public trust on security issues as well.
Bardugo concluded by claiming that President Isaac Herzog must task Netanyahu with forming the government: “President Herzog has no choice but to give Netanyahu the mandate to form the government.”