Benjamin Netanyahu’s political bloc holds a narrow lead with most votes counted in Israel’s election, but neither his alliance nor the opposition is on course to secure a parliamentary majority.
Netanyahu’s Likud is expected to emerge as the largest party. He has called for a strong right-wing government, while opposition “change bloc” leader Gadi Eisenkot has said the election represents a vote to end Netanyahu’s time in office.
Parties representing Israel’s Arab minority have secured a record number of seats, potentially giving them an important role in negotiations over the formation of the next government.
All 120 seats in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, were contested. No single party has ever won an outright majority, and governments have historically been formed through coalitions.
The final seat distribution will determine the options available to political leaders as they seek enough support to form a government.
