With both blocs short of a 61-seat majority, their leaders and respective allies must decide which divisive issues are worth prioritizing, and which promises are worth reneging on
Qatar reportedly implicated, but Likud statement doesn't name Gulf state; Eisenkot says allegations must not delay Knesset's swearing-in; Herzog: 'We must avoid tarnishing an entire community'
But mainstream Jewish groups take more neutral stances that focus on touting high turnout, as most Jewish-led parties still oppose political partnership with Arab-led parties
High Arab turnout makes it easier to make case for Israel abroad, but complicates coalition-building for Jewish-led parties that have embraced PM's delegitimization of Arab political leaders
Netanyahu's party says it presented 'hundreds of testimonies' and other evidence; election panel says it's reviewing the fraud allegations, which a senior official earlier dismissed
Despite anti-Netanyahu majority, opposition leaders' refusal to rely on Arab parties could force fresh elections or unity government, either of which would keep premier in power
Parties across the political spectrum celebrate, even though neither bloc has majority to form coalition without violating campaign promises; most urge patience until final votes counted
Voters say high turnout in Arab towns spurred by Ben Gvir's antagonistic behavior, failure to tackle violent crime; Ra'am chief Abbas says he is speaking to members of both blocs
The aftermath of October 7, 2023, and subsequent political discord drives changing voting patterns in southern Israel, from communities attacked during massacre to Bedouin hamlets
74.3% of eligible voters cast ballots by 8 p.m., highest since 1988 at that hour; pointing to Arabs and the left, Netanyahu says 'they're trying to steal election,' while Eisenkot accuses him of trying to 'lay groundwork' to contest results