Netanyahu and Gantz both Claim Victory in Israel Election

Both Prime Minister Netanyahu and the leaders of the rival Blue and White party, former military chief Benny Gantz have declared victory as they win the same number of seats.
The centrist Blue and White alliance of former military chief Benny Gantz was projected to win 36 or 37 seats, with the Likud party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu taking 33 to 36.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared victory in national elections as exit polls show his Likud party gaining ground on its main rival.
Addressing a jubilant gathering of supporters early Wednesday, Netanyahu praised them for an “almost inconceivable achievement.”
Netanyahu announced Tuesday: “A right-wing bloc led by the Likud party won a clear victory. I thank the citizens of Israel for the trust.”
“It is a night of colossal victory,” he said. “I’m very touched that, for the fifth time, the people of Israel have believed in me,” he added.
Gantz and Lapid also declared, “We won! The Israeli public has had its say!” “These elections have a clear winner and a clear loser.”
They added that “These elections have a clear winner and a clear loser,” saying, “the president can see the picture and should call on the winner to form the next government. There is no other option!”
Two exit polls predicted that right-wing parties allied to Mr. Netanyahu were more likely to be able to form a governing coalition. But a third exit poll predicted that the bloc would be tied with center-left parties allied to Mr. Gantz.
So, Exit polls suggest there will be no clear winner in the closely fought general election. However, both camps vowed they would call on allies to help them form a governing coalition.
>Juthy Saha