Netanyahu's ink-stained hand in victory speech photo explained

A single photograph from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Likud activists early Wednesday morning drew attention across social media, not for what he said, but for what appeared on his hands. The image shows Netanyahu (77) with his palms pressed together, a blue ink stain visible on one hand.

Netanyahu arrived at Likud headquarters in Jerusalem's Binyenei Ha'uma at around 3:12 a.m., after hours of waiting for exit-poll results, and delivered a speech to party members. While the address focused on Israel's political future and his plans to form a new government, the ink mark became the detail that caught the public eye.

The stain is tied to Netanyahu's longstanding practice of writing his own speeches by hand. The ink on his palm fits the image of a prime minister who continues drafting his remarks personally, even in the early-morning hours before pivotal political moments.

Netanyahu at his 2016 election victory speech (Photo: Flash90/Chaim Goldberg)

During the speech, Netanyahu addressed the election results and stressed the need to wait for the final count. "We are still waiting for the real results, which we will receive over the course of today or the next two days," he said, before declaring: "The first thing is unequivocal, Likud is the largest party in Israel."

Netanyahu argued that the right-wing bloc holds a clear majority among the Jewish and Zionist public, and laid out his political intention: "We must establish a strong national right-wing government."

With a drawn flag: the note Netanyahu placed in the Kotel on election eve (Photo: Western Wall Heritage Foundation)

Later in his remarks, he reviewed Israel's achievements in the security arena and stated: "Iran is weaker than ever, Israel is stronger than ever." He added that Israel stands before a historic opportunity, together with U.S. President Donald Trump, to remove the Iranian threat once and for all.

He also thanked IDF soldiers, the wounded and bereaved families, and recounted a moving encounter with a young man injured during the war who communicates via tablet, typing with his nose. He closed his speech with gratitude to the Creator for the strength to continue working on behalf of the people of Israel and the state.