Israeli Exit Polls Show Netanyahu and Opposition Tied

Israeli exit polls put Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc and the opposition led by Gadi Eisenkot at about 51 seats each, leaving neither near the 61 needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. The projections suggest a close, inconclusive result, with Arab parties potentially holding leverage in efforts to form a government. They are not official results, and the final seat balance could change as votes are counted. Revised projections from Israeli television networks showed Netanyahu’s Likud-led camp drawing level with Eisenkot’s opposition bloc after earlier estimates gave the opposition a narrow lead. Likud was projected to be the largest individual party, with about 27 seats, but the party’s position alone would not give Netanyahu a governing majority. One broadcaster’s updated exit poll projected 61 seats for Netanyahu’s bloc, but that was a single projection; most revised figures cited put the blocs roughly even. Netanyahu called for a strong right-wing government and rejected relying on Arab parties. He said cooperation with U.S. President Donald Trump offered an opportunity to eliminate what he called Iran’s existential threat. Eisenkot said he would seek to...