Israel's opposition faces dilemma on governing with Palestinian parties after Netanyahu loses majority

■ Steady

Netanyahu bloc falls short with 53 seats as opposition weighs Arab party support

Final results show Netanyahu's party and allies won 53 seats, short of a majority, while the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot won 48. Arab-majority parties won 19 seats, and the opposition has a majority only if Eisenkot's bloc works with Palestinian-Israeli parties, which most Jewish opposition parties have ruled out. On Wednesday Netanyahu claimed Arab parties used foreign backing to steal the election, and he and allies urged Shin Bet to investigate alleged vote buying; critics accused him of smear tactics.

• The Central Elections Committee asked the Shin Bet chief to investigate allegations of foreign interference, including suspected funding and bribery linked to Qatar.
• President Herzog urged parties to form a coalition and avoid new elections.
• Netanyahu called a coalition with Arab parties 'a disgrace and a shame', and Balad's leader called the opposition's refusal to ally with Arab parties racist.
• Official results are due on November 4.