Ben-Gvir and Smotrich speak as polls close

Far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, of Netanyahu's outgoing government, gave statements to the press after polls closed in Israel's parliamentary election.

Ben-Gvir leads the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party and Smotrich leads Religious Zionism; both parties were pillars of Netanyahu's coalition during his latest term.

The two ministers' positions matter given the close results, as their parties' performance could decide whether the right-wing camp holds on to power.

Their policies in government drew wide international criticism, particularly over the Palestinian file.