Key facts
- Neither Benjamin Netanyahu nor Gadi Eisenkot are projected to win a majority in the Israeli election.
- Arab parties defied expectations and could gain a record 19 seats.
- New elections are a likely outcome if coalition negotiations fail.
Israel is facing a political deadlock following an election where neither incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his main challenger Gadi Eisenkot are projected to secure a parliamentary majority. With 85% of votes counted, the most probable outcome appears to be new elections if coalition negotiations fail.
Several scenarios are being considered. One involves Netanyahu attempting to form a national unity government, which would require Eisenkot to abandon his campaign promise to oust Netanyahu. Another possibility is an Eisenkot-led coalition that includes Arab parties, a move that would represent a significant shift in Israeli politics, though most Jewish parties have ruled out such a partnership. A third option is Netanyahu persuading right-wing parties from Eisenkot's bloc to defect and join his existing coalition. If none of these scenarios materialize, Israel could be headed for another election, with Netanyahu potentially remaining as caretaker prime minister.