Israel awaits final results of vote as parties eye deals

Israelis yesterday were waiting for final election results to confirm what they see taking shape: No majority of parliament seats for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies, or for the array of parties seeking to unseat him.

Difficult decisions lie in the weeks ahead, including whether some Jewish and Arab parties would team up in a historic alliance, or whether some parties that campaigned on ousting Netanyahu would toss that aside and join forces with the prime minister.

While this plays out, Netanyahu remains in charge.

People sit on a road in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Wednesday amid a protest to demand that Israel-Arab parties be included in the formation of the next government.Photo: Reuters

Photo: Reuters

Final results were expected soon after about 500,000 absentee ballots are counted from military personnel, diplomats, people in prisons and hospitals, and others.

They are not expected to sway the results dramatically.

The chief rival to Netanyahu, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, in his first public statement since an address to supporters early on Wednesday spoke of a government in service to all and reflecting the will of the people.

He did not mention the prospect of joining forces with the Arab-led parties that had a strong showing as some Arab citizens broke long-standing vows never to vote in the country.

One of the Arab parties, the Joint List, late on Wednesday said that there was an “unprecedented show of strength” and the Jewish voters “willing to swim against the tide of racism.”

It said it was open to political cooperation.

Netanyahu’s Likud party, despite receiving the most votes, has accused the Arab-led parties of stealing the election and asked the election committee to investigate.

The election committee has said the number of reported irregularities in the election was low.

Israel’s president next week is to task someone to form the next government.

It has traditionally been the leader of the party with the most votes, but that is not required.

If a new government cannot be formed after multiple attempts, Israel would face a new election early next year.

On Wednesday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog signaled that he wanted to avoid that step — something Eisenkot has said as well.