No clarity on Israel's next PM; Arab parties get 15 seats

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc has widened its lead over the opposition in the country's parliamentary election, but remains short of a majority, Israeli media reported on Wednesday.
With around 50% of votes counted, Netanyahu's bloc was projected to win 56 of the 120 seats in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, seven more than the opposition camp led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot.
Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party was set to emerge as the largest party with 27 seats, followed by Eisenkot's centrist Yashar party with 21 seats.
With neither side reaching the 61 seats needed for a majority, it remained unclear who would become Israel's next prime minister. Vote counting is continuing, with the country potentially facing weeks of difficult coalition negotiations.
Arab parties were projected to win a combined 15 seats and could play a decisive role in determining who becomes Israel's next prime minister.
Eisenkot would need the support of Arab parties to form a government, but several opposition parties have so far rejected such an arrangement.
Initial exit polls after voting ended on Tuesday had suggested the opposition would finish ahead of Netanyahu's bloc. But the picture shifted overnight, with the prime minister's camp gaining ground.
Netanyahu's coalition, which relied on far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties, won 64 seats in the last election in late 2022.Netanyahu calls for strong right-wing government
Netanyahu called for a strong right-wing government early on Wednesday, projecting confidence despite the inconclusive election outcome.
Eisenkot, meanwhile, said the Israeli people had 'voted for change' and pledged to form a government quickly.
'We have made history! The public has voted for change,' Eisenkot told supporters.
'The Israeli public has voted against Netanyahu continuing to serve as prime minister of Israel,' he said, adding that he would work to 'respect the will of the people.'
'Israel is on the path to a new era - an era of hope, mutual responsibility and solidarity,' Eisenkot said.Highest turnout in decades
The election, the first since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Gaza war, was seen as a watershed moment for the deeply divided country.
At stake was whether Netanyahu would remain in power or whether his political opponents could muster enough support to bring about a change of government.
In a sign of how much Israelis felt was at stake, turnout was exceptionally high, with the Central Elections Committee reporting the highest participation since 1999.
The committee said 77.7% of the country's roughly 7.3 million eligible voters had cast their ballots.
According to media reports, more than 70,000 Israelis travelled home from abroad to vote, as most citizens are not permitted to cast their ballots overseas.