Israel election result shows no overall majority as vote count complete

In Israel, opposition politicians have convened to discuss potential coalition options following the recent parliamentary election. Yair Golan, leader of the left-liberal Democrats, expressed his intent to explore various partnerships with fellow opposition members, including Gadi Eisenkot, who is challenging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Golan stated, "The rescue of Israel is at stake" in a subsequent post on X. He also reportedly discussed the possibility of forging alliances with Arab parties, which had performed well in the election, and the Arab parties had previously rejected this proposal.

However, Netanyahu's right-wing religious bloc appears to have the upper hand in government formation after the majority of votes were counted. Neither side currently holds a clear majority needed to form a government. Netanyahu has also recently spoken with potential partners within his right-wing religious coalition.

Sources indicate that the ultra-Orthodox alliance, United Torah Judaism, plans to offer support to Eisenkot in forming a government, contingent upon the passage of a law allowing for exemptions from military service for strictly religious men. While ultra-Orthodox Jews traditionally oppose military service due to gender integration, Eisenkot, who leads the centrist party Yashar, aims to introduce conscription for ultra-Orthodox men as well.