Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party.
\n\nIsrael is heading for a political deadlock, with neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his main rival, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, on course to secure a parliamentary majority as the vote count nears completion.
\n\nWith more than 85% of ballots counted, Netanyahu's right-wing bloc is projected to win 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, eight short of the 61 needed to form a government. The opposition bloc led by Eisenkot is projected to secure 48 seats, while Arab parties are set to win 19.
\n\nFinal results are expected on Thursday, although the counting of between 430,000 and 480,000 absentee ballots from soldiers and diplomats could delay the outcome by a day or two. Netanyahu's bloc is projected to lose 15 seats compared with its strength in the outgoing parliament. His Likud party is expected to emerge as the largest party in the bloc, with 26 seats.
\n\nEisenkot's Yashar party is projected to win 21 seats.
\n\nThe results leave Israel facing three possible outcomes: a minority government, a national unity government or another election.
\n\nIsrael election results, as it stands.
\n\nCould Eisenkot Form a Minority Government?
\n\nThe…
Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/latest-news
