Arab parties could hold key as Netanyahu and Eisenkot set to fall short of victory
· World · BBC News, NDTV, The Hindu
Israel's veteran Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has emerged as the leader of the largest single party, Likud, in early election results. His existing bloc with ultra-nationalist and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties remains just short of a 61-seat majority in the 120-seat parliament. Turnout reached more than 77% amid a widely forecast political deadlock. Netanyahu's main rival, former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, would struggle to command a parliamentary majority without parties led by Israel's Arab minority. A final outcome remains uncertain for another day or two due to a high volume of uncounted absentee ballots, mostly from Israeli soldiers.
Why it matters
Israel's political deadlock and the potential role of Arab-led parties as kingmakers will determine the formation of the country's next government and its future legislative direction.
Read the original report — BBC News
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