Arab parties could hold key as Netanyahu and Eisenkot blocs fall short of majority

■ Steady

Israel's election leaves no clear winner as Netanyahu and Eisenkot both claim the right to govern

Early counting after Tuesday's election showed no clear winner. On Wednesday, Netanyahu called for a right-wing government while Eisenkot said voters had rejected him. Likud is reported as the largest single party, and Netanyahu's bloc edges past the opposition, but the two main blocs appear to fall short of a majority without Arab parties. Official results are due on November 4.

• Likud is the largest party, but both main blocs appear short of a majority without Arab parties, according to reports on Wednesday.
• Netanyahu called a coalition with Arab parties 'a disgrace and a shame'. He and Smotrich also made provocative statements about Arab voters during the count.
• Exit polls projected up to 18 seats for the Arab bloc amid record turnout, and Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit lost seats according to polls.
• President Isaac Herzog, whose role is largely ceremonial, must choose a candidate to form the government.