Israel's near-final count leaves Netanyahu bloc at 53 seats, short of a majority

Israel's general election has produced a hung parliament, with a near-complete count showing neither of the two main camps able to form a majority in the 120-seat Knesset on its own.

Projections based on results published by the Central Elections Committee on Wednesday gave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc of right-wing and religious parties 53 seats, eight short of the 61 needed to govern. The opposition bloc headed by former army chief Gadi Eisenkot was projected at 48 seats, and Arab parties, which sit outside both blocs, at 19.

The count so far

Netanyahu's Likud remained the largest single party with a projected 26 seats, followed by Eisenkot's Yashar party with 21. Other parties in the Netanyahu camp, including Shas, United Torah Judaism and Otzma Yehudit, were projected in single digits, as were opposition parties such as the Democrats and Yisrael Beytenu.

The figures are not final. Double-envelope ballots, which include several hundred thousand votes cast by soldiers and others away from their home polling stations, were due to be counted separately, with results expected by Thursday evening. Certified results are expected only after further checks.

Rival claims

Netanyahu urged what he called the Zionist majority to unite and thanked his partners in the outgoing coalition. Eisenkot said voters had chosen change and called on the prime minister to step aside. Democrats leader Yair Golan argued that the opposition could form a government with backing from Arab parties, and Arab party leaders said they were ready to help remove the current government.

A unity government appears unlikely for now, as Eisenkot has ruled out serving under Netanyahu. Israeli media reports suggest the deadlock could lead to prolonged coalition talks, a minority government relying on outside support, or even another election. Once results are final, President Isaac Herzog will consult party leaders before asking a candidate to try to form a government. The caretaker government remains in office in the meantime.

Why it matters

Israel's next government will shape its approach to the conflict with Iran and the wider West Asian situation, which has pushed up oil prices and affects shipping routes and the large Indian community in the region. India has close defence and trade ties with Israel, and New Delhi will be watching the coalition talks closely.