Israel election count leaves governing majority uncertain

Israel’s Central Elections Committee projected no clear governing majority after the parliamentary election, with final results still pending as its chair asked the Shin Bet to investigate unsubstantiated claims of foreign interference. The committee’s reported seat count put Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc at 53 seats, opposition parties at 48 and Arab parties at 19 in the 120-seat Knesset. The figures were projections while absentee ballots were still being counted, not certified results. The committee said final results were due to be certified by November 4. The committee chair’s letter, dated Wednesday, referred to alleged foreign funding against Israel’s interests but offered no specifics and did not identify who raised the claims. The chair asked the Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic intelligence service, to investigate and provide findings within the week. The request did not establish that foreign interference occurred. Netanyahu urged that no party cooperate with Arab parties, although the letter did not address coalition arrangements. Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief and Netanyahu’s leading rival, warned political actors against using the situation to...