Israel election results: absentee ballots under count as coalition talks begin

A close path to government

The final count is unlikely to settle Israel’s political impasse. With no group reaching the 61 seats required for a Knesset majority, parties face weeks of talks over who can form a government.

Gadi Eisenkot and his allies must decide whether to seek support from Arab Israeli parties or risk giving Netanyahu a route back through a unity government or fresh elections. The parties are reported to be heading for a record result of 19 seats.

Palestinian parties weigh support

Support from Palestinian lawmakers could help Eisenkot sustain a minority government, though few observers expect that arrangement to last. Golan is the only opposition leader so far reported to support working with parties led by Palestinian citizens of Israel.

Election complaints and next steps

The Central Elections Committee said it had received a Likud complaint alleging Arab parties compromised election integrity. It will examine the claims as part of its routine post-election review.

Likud accused the parties of “stealing” the election and called for police and Shin Bet investigations, without providing evidence, according to the report. Herzog, who chooses which candidate to ask to form a government, said, “We must do everything we can, certainly after yesterday, to avoid another round of elections,” and urged parties to keep an open mind.

International law concerns

UN rights chief Volker Turk said he hoped Israel’s next government would respect international law and “change course massively”. He urged an end to what he described as a course of warfare that treated Israel as above the law. Turk said Israel has obligations under international, humanitarian and human rights law, and said he hoped the next government would meet them.