Israel's election commission confirms results and rejects fraud claims as Herzog starts coalition talks

■ Steady

Election commission confirms Israel's result and rejects fraud claims as Herzog opens talks

On Wednesday Israel's election commission confirmed the results and dismissed fraud claims, while Netanyahu's allies refused to back the outcome. President Herzog began talks on who should form the next government. Neither Netanyahu's alliance nor Eisenkot's bloc won a Knesset majority, and Herzog must name a candidate by November 11.

• Netanyahu's allies refused to back the confirmed result; Netanyahu has described the election as stolen.
• Arab and ultra-Orthodox parties hold the key to a majority, according to reporting on Tuesday.
• All parties in Eisenkot's camp have endorsed him as prime minister, and the opposition is weighing whether to join forces with the Arab parties, which made surprise gains.
• The New York Times says Herzog, whose role is largely ceremonial, could become central to resolving the deadlock.