Israeli president may mediate after inconclusive election

■ Steady

Israel's deadlocked election leaves president Herzog potentially central to next steps

After Israel's inconclusive election, President Isaac Herzog, whose role is largely ceremonial, could become central to resolving the deadlock, according to the New York Times. Neither Netanyahu's alliance nor Eisenkot's bloc won a Knesset majority, leaving Arab and ultra-Orthodox parties as potential kingmakers. Herzog must name a candidate to form a government by November 11.

• 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.
• Netanyahu says voters chose him and has described the election as stolen.
• Israel's election body says the result will not be undermined even if claims of foreign interference prove true.
• Netanyahu and Eisenkot are making rival cases to Herzog on who should get the first chance to build a coalition.