‘I need you’ - Netanyahu rallies Likud supporters ahead of Israel election
Key Takeaways
- Netanyahu told Likud supporters he needs their backing to secure another term.
- He framed the election around security, Palestinian statehood and the judiciary.
- Israel's national election is scheduled for October 27, 2026.
The Israeli prime minister urged his party base to maintain its campaign momentum as he framed the October 27 vote around security, Palestinian statehood and the judiciary.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appealed directly to Likud supporters for their backing ahead of the country's October 27 election, telling party members that he needs their support to secure another term.
Israel's election is scheduled for October 27, 2026, after the Knesset completed its full term and dispersed in July.
Footage from Likud's Jewish New Year gathering in Tel Aviv on Thursday shows Netanyahu greeting supporters and joining party members on stage before addressing the crowd.
"I want to disappoint you: I am not the Messiah, and I am not a king either. A king does not need to be elected. I need to be elected. I need you, and that is why I am going out into the field," Netanyahu said.
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Netanyahu Frames Choice Between Right and Left
Netanyahu presented the election as a choice between Israel's political right and left, raising Palestinian statehood and the judiciary as key dividing issues.
"Which direction are we going? Is it left or right? Do you want the left? Do you want the right? Do you want a Palestinian state? Do you want a Jewish state? Do you want a judicial dictatorship? Do you want real democracy?" he asked.
He later described the political centre as a 'bluff' and criticised Gadi Eisenkot, the former military chief who leads the Yashar party. Eisenkot's party is among Likud's major rivals in the election.
Netanyahu Defends Government's Military Record
Netanyahu also highlighted his government's military record since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack, praising Israeli soldiers and arguing that his government had changed the regional balance of power.
"Look at what we have achieved thanks to our heroic soldiers, our heroic soldiers. We are proud of you. We salute you," he said, persisting, "On the second day of the war, I promised: we will change the face of the Middle East. And that is exactly what my colleagues here — the ministers of the government and members of the Knesset — that is exactly what we did together. We changed the face of the Middle East."
Netanyahu cited the deaths of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas figures Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh. He also referred to the September 2024 operation in which pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon.
Turning back to the campaign, Netanyahu urged his supporters to keep up their efforts until polling day.
"Likud is awake, Likud is kicking, Likud is strong. But we need to maintain this enthusiasm until Election Day," he asserted.
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The October 27 election will be Israel's first national vote since the Hamas-led October 7 attack and the wars that followed.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
