Israel's final count leaves Netanyahu's bloc eight seats short of a majority as Arab parties win a record 19 seats
Neither Benjamin Netanyahu nor opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has the 61 seats needed to govern, with Netanyahu's bloc on 53 and Eisenkot's on 48 after final results certified by Israel's Central Elections Committee on Friday. President Isaac Herzog is due to receive certified results next Wednesday before tasking a leader with forming a government.
Yair Lapid warned success is not guaranteed but confirmed talks are under way: 'If you want to know if something's happening behind the silence, the answer is yes.'
Avigdor Liberman ruled out serving under Netanyahu and refused any coalition involving Arab parties, complicating every conceivable path to 61 seats.
Washington is reported to be frustrated by the deadlock, while analysts warn Netanyahu may use the caretaker period to press Trump to resume bombing Iran.
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Fox NewsNetanyahu's bloc falls short as longtime allies reportedly weigh move that could end his ruleThe Jewish Chronicle (GNews)Netanyahu bloc maintains lead in final election results but falls short of majority - The Jewish ChronicleHuffPostDifficult Negotiations Lie Ahead In Israel After Netanyahu's Bloc Lost Parliamentary MajorityNYT WorldIsrael’s Election Is Unlikely to Change Its Policies and Global IsolationNY PostNetanyahu's right-wing bloc wins Israeli election but he's eight seats short of majorityThe TelegraphWashington frustrated by Netanyahu’s deadlockFox NewsNetanyahu falls short of majority as Israel faces three possible paths to a new governmentAPDifficult negotiations lie ahead in Israel after Netanyahu’s bloc lost its parliamentary majorityThe IndependentIsrael's election results are in. Here's what could happen nextNYT WorldWith No Clear Winner, How Could Israel Get a Prime Minister?Washington TimesWill Netanyahu survive?LBCIsrael's election ends in stalemate as Netanyahu fails to secure overall majority
