The camp of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slightly ahead after 50% of the ballots have been counted, according to the Israeli Central Elections Committee. The provisional result remains fragile, as half of the votes have yet to be counted, and at this stage it does not allow a clear majority to emerge.
On Wednesday, Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel faces "a unique historic opportunity" with its partner, US President Donald Trump, to definitively eliminate what he presents as the existential threat posed by Iran. According to the published reports, the head of government has consistently issued alarmist statements about Tehran throughout the campaign.
This emphasis on the Iranian issue is part of a campaign in which national security occupies a central place in the Israeli leader's rhetoric. By highlighting the Iranian threat, Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to mobilize his electorate around his record and his strategy toward the Islamic Republic, a theme that has long structured his political communication.
The counting continues, and the final political landscape will depend on the latest results. The coming hours will show whether the Netanyahu camp's lead holds and which coalition can be formed in the Knesset. For now, the figures remain partial and the balance between parties may still change.