Israel election results live: Netanyahu faces calls to quit as exit polls point to deadlock with Eisenkot bloc
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing calls to step aside after exit polls predicted an election deadlock between his and a rival bloc.
Exit polls by major television networks showed neither Netanyahu nor his main rival Eisenkot secured the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority. Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party and the rival “change” bloc, told party workers in Tel Aviv they “have made history”.
“This morning the people of Israel went to a referendum on the leadership that will lead Israel in the coming years. Tonight we received an answer. The public decided in favour of change,” he said.
With actual results still being counted, the exit polls indicated that Netanyahu’s bloc won 50 seats, the opposition won 52-53 and Arab parties won 17-18. The strong showing by Arab-led parties could allow them to decide the next prime minister, but both blocs have until now refused to partner with them.
Netanyahu, addressing a crowd in Jerusalem, said the election provided Israel a “historic opportunity” to eliminate the “Iranian threat” as he called for the formation of a “strong, right-wing” government.
