Netanyahu Bloc Leads Israel Vote but Falls Short of Majority

Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc finished first in Israel’s election but fell short of a parliamentary majority, leaving the formation of a new government dependent on coalition negotiations. Final results gave his bloc 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, compared with 48 for the main opposition alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot and 19 for Arab parties. A majority requires 61 seats. The Central Elections Committee’s final count confirmed that neither of the two largest blocs can govern alone. Netanyahu remains prime minister while parties consider whether they can assemble enough support for a government. The results put Arab parties in a potentially pivotal position, though their participation in a coalition or support for a minority government is not settled. Opposition leaders face competing choices after campaigning against Netanyahu and, in several cases, rejecting cooperation with Arab parties. Some have advocated seeking Arab support, while others have ruled out joining a government that relies on it. Another possible route would be a unity government involving Netanyahu’s Likud and opposition parties, but that could require leaders to reverse campaign pledges. If negotiations...