Israeli opposition rallies behind Eisenkot as Netanyahu says voters chose him

■ Steady

Israeli opposition backs Eisenkot for PM as deadlock over coalition continues

On Tuesday, Israel's opposition met for the first time since the deadlocked election, in which neither Eisenkot's bloc nor Netanyahu's alliance won a Knesset majority. All parties in Eisenkot's camp have endorsed him as prime minister. The open question is whether to join forces with the Arab parties, which made surprise gains. President Herzog must name a candidate to form a government by November 11.

• Netanyahu says voters chose him and has described the election as stolen; Israel's election body says the result stands even if claims of foreign interference prove true.
• On Monday, Netanyahu and Eisenkot were due to make rival cases to the president on who should get the first chance to build a coalition.
• On Saturday, Israel alleged Qatar interfered in the election, and Qatar rejected the allegation.
• On Sunday, thousands rallied in Tel Aviv urging an Eisenkot deal with Arab parties, while Netanyahu supporters counterprotested against a government with 'terrorists'.