No clear winner in Israel election as final results show Netanyahu bloc at 53 seats

■ Steady

Final results leave Israel deadlocked: Netanyahu bloc 53 seats, Eisenkot bloc 48

Final results released on Thursday show Netanyahu's party and allies on 53 seats, short of a majority, while the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot won 48. Netanyahu claimed Arab Israeli parties used foreign backing to steal the election, and he and allies urged the Shin Bet to investigate; critics accuse him of smear tactics. Israel's Central Elections Committee separately asked the Shin Bet chief to look into alleged foreign interference, including suspected Qatar-linked funding. No path to a government has emerged.

• Arab-majority parties won 19 seats on record turnout, and opposition parties could in theory join with them to unseat Netanyahu.
• Most Jewish opposition parties have ruled out governing with Palestinian-led parties, which could let Netanyahu remain in office.
• President Herzog urged parties to form a coalition and avoid new elections.
• Netanyahu will serve as caretaker prime minister with greater constraints.