Netanyahu Pledges To Form National Government If Exit Polls Reflected In Voting Results

Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu vows to form a "national government" and heal internal rifts in his first address after the vote count began.

• Netanyahu calls his party's result "a huge expression of faith" and says Israeli people "want security, a reduced cost of living - they want strength, they don't want weakness."
• He notes that while supporters still need to wait for the final result, "we are on the cusp of a very big victory."
• The former Premier stressed that the people "want aa Jewish state - a state that honours its citizens, but this is a Jewish state."
• He vows being "very aggressive in protecting our security and in the search for peace with our neighbours - with concern for all citizens."
• Netanyahu does not specify potential coalition partners, but he is expected to talk with the far-right Religious Zionism and the ultra-Orthodox Shas and United Torah Judaism.
• With over 20% of the ballots now counter, Netanyahu's right-wing bloc is in the lead, albeit it is too early to call the election.