Israeli party leaders consult President Herzog on who should try forming a coalition

■ Steady

Party leaders meet Herzog on Thursday to recommend who should try forming Israel's government

On Thursday, Israeli party leaders met President Isaac Herzog to recommend who should get the first chance to form a coalition after the inconclusive election. Opposition figures also said the US midterm results show Israel cannot afford to keep Netanyahu in office. On Wednesday, Netanyahu alleged foreign money was used to sway the vote, which the largest Arab-Israeli bloc called political persecution. Neither bloc has a Knesset majority.

• Israel's election commission confirmed the results and rejected fraud claims on Wednesday, though Netanyahu's allies refused to back the outcome.
• Netanyahu cites "serious suspicions" that foreign countries spent large sums to influence the election.
• Arab and ultra-Orthodox parties are seen as kingmakers, with neither bloc close to a majority.
• All parties in Eisenkot's camp have endorsed him as prime minister; whether to join forces with the Arab parties remains open.