Netanyahu Fears Election Loss and Warns of Opposition Victory

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that he is not confident of winning the upcoming elections, while affirming that he will not retire from political life even if he loses.

Netanyahu added in a radio interview that the next elections are "an existential issue," warning that a victory by his opponents could lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state and concessions regarding the Iranian nuclear program. These remarks were made during an interview with Gadi Niss.

He stated that "the real choice is between the Right and Palestine, or the Right and the nuclear program," arguing that a potential left-wing government might cancel what he described as his government's achievements and lead to Arab autonomy in the Galilee and Negev regions, in response to demands by Mansour Abbas and Ahmed Tibi.

Netanyahu urged voters to support his party, saying he can complete the mission within the remaining two years in cooperation with US President Donald Trump, while questioning the ability of Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot to influence American positions or handle international challenges.

In criticizing his rivals, Netanyahu said he does not believe right-wing voters will fall into what he called a trap by considering Naftali Bennett part of the Right, adding that Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman adopt left-wing positions.

Voting in the Israeli general elections began Thursday at Tel Aviv's diplomatic missions abroad, days before the scheduled vote on October 27.

According to opinion polls, neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's camp nor the opposition is able to reach the threshold of 61 seats required to form a government on its own.