Israel's Election Leaves Netanyahu and Eisenkot Blocs Short of a Majority

Neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc nor the opposition bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot won a majority in Israel's Tuesday election, with both short of the 61 seats needed in the 120-seat Knesset as counting continued Wednesday. Exit polls Tuesday night had the opposition on 52 or 53 seats and Netanyahu's bloc on 50, but Netanyahu's bloc pulled ahead as ballots were counted. With about 70% counted it held 54 seats to the opposition's 47, and with more than 90% counted it held 53 to 49. Likud was the largest party, and Eisenkot's Yashar was second. Turnout was the highest in decades, and Israel's two Arab parties won more seats than ever before. Yair Golan, head of Israel's main left-wing party, urged opposition allies to work with Arab parties to form a government. Netanyahu rejected reliance on what he called anti-Zionist Arab parties and urged his allies to form a right-wing government. Forming a government could take weeks or months, or lead to another election.

Left-leaning outlets lead with the absence of a winner. CBS News gives early vote shares (Likud 21.4%, Yashar 16.2% with 60% counted), quotes Golan and Netanyahu on Arab parties, and cites Arab voters describing a hard period under Netanyahu. The New York Times offers a what-to-expect preview noting exit polls may not show a clear winner. Right-leaning outlets headline Netanyahu defying the exit polls. Fox News gives seat tallies, including 19 for Arab parties, and says Arab parties could be key and that Israelis are confused. The New York Post quotes Iran experts and says a Netanyahu lead makes another Iran campaign likely, leaving out Golan's appeal. Both sides agree that neither bloc has 61 seats. Alternative outlets add the early exit-poll edge for the opposition and an analyst's Iran warning.