Israel election: Netanyahu faces calls to quit as exit polls point to deadlock

Exit polls show no majority

Exit polls put Netanyahu’s bloc at 50 seats and the opposition at 52 to 53. Arab parties were projected to win 17 to 18 seats, while the count continued.

No party or bloc appeared on course for a majority in the Knesset. The strong result for Arab-led parties could make them pivotal, although both main blocs have so far refused to partner with them.

Eisenkot urges Netanyahu to leave

Gadi Eisenkot said his bloc had “made history” and called on Netanyahu to retire from politics. Speaking to party workers in Tel Aviv, he said the public had chosen change.

Eisenkot described Netanyahu’s coalition as having lost confidence and called him a caretaker prime minister without a mandate or public trust. He also urged the security establishment to resist political interests taking priority over Israel’s security.

Netanyahu cites Iran threat

Addressing a rally in Jerusalem early Wednesday, Netanyahu said Israel had a historic opportunity to remove the Iranian threat. He said Iran was weaker than ever and Israel stronger than ever.

Results remain unsettled

The exit polls have not established a winner, and actual results were still being counted. The projections place the two main blocs close to one another, leaving the next steps uncertain.

Former Israeli justice minister Yossi Beilin predicted Netanyahu would be defeated by Eisenkot. That prediction came as exit polls continued to indicate a deadlock.