Netanyahu casts Arab parties as a threat. They could be key to his defeat.

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1. 1h ago

   Arab Parties Hold Key in Israel Election as Netanyahu Falls Short

   Israeli election results show no clear winner, leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu short of a parliamentary majority after Tuesday's vote. With more than three quarters of the vote counted, exit polls indicate Eisenkot's bloc is neck and neck with Netanyahu, pointing to likely weeks of coalition talks. Arab minority leaders are urging a hesitant opposition to join forces to end Netanyahu's rule. Netanyahu previously cast Arab parties as a threat, but their political positioning could ultimately prove crucial to his potential defeat.

   Why it matters

   This election marks the first time Israelis have voted since the October 7, 2023 attack that triggered ongoing conflicts in Gaza and the wider region. Israeli elections are frequently decided by very narrow margins, and past exit polls have proven unreliable. Consequently, forming a governing coalition will likely take weeks or longer.

   What is confirmed

   • Results from Israel's election pointed Wednesday to no clear winner as more than three quarters of the vote counted showed Netanyahu's right-wing bloc slightly ahead but short of a majority.
   • A leader of the Arab minority appealed to a hesitant opposition to join forces to end the reign of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
   • Israeli exit polls suggest no clear winner with Eisenkot's bloc neck and neck with Netanyahu.

   What to watch next

   • Final vote tallies and official certified results from the election.
   • Upcoming coalition talks between opposition factions and Arab party leaders.
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Saudi Arabia Turns To Iran Amid Houthi Strikes, Dealing Trump A Major Gulf Blow? - Times of India Videos
   2. WSJ — The Voters Who Could Decide Israel’s Election and Rewrite Its Future
   3. Reuters — Disenchanted Netanyahu supporters are prize of Israel election campaign
   4. The Washington Post — Netanyahu casts Arab parties as a threat. They could be key to his defeat.
   5. The New York Times — How Israel's Election Could Unfold
   6. The Boston Globe — Tens of thousands of Israelis living abroad are expected to fly in for pivotal vote
   7. inews.co.uk — The disturbing picture that shows Netanyahu is on the brink
   8. www.bbc.com — Israeli exit polls suggest no clear winner with Eisenkot's bloc neck and neck with Netanyahu
   9. english.aawsat.com — Iran Parliament Speaker Calls for Cutting Gas Consumption by 10 Percent as Winter Nears
   10. www.al-monitor.com — Israeli Arab parties hold key as Netanyahu falls short of majority
   11. www.clickorlando.com — The Latest: As votes are counted, no clear winner emerges in Israel's election
   12. www.sbs.com.au — Israel election counts suggest Netanyahu and Eisenkot unlikely to form majority — as it happened
   confidence 95%