Israel Election Too Close To Call Between Netanyahu and Eisenkot

Israel's most watched election in decades is too close to call. Neither Benjamin Netona nor his main challenger Gadia Eisenot is the clear winner after voters went to the polls for the first time since the Hamas attack of October 7th, 2023. Netanyahu's Leur party is said to be the biggest in Israel's parliament, but neither his right-wing alliance nor Eisenot's more centrist block are likely to command the majority that's needed for a stable new government. In Israel's coalition system, it means Netanyahu will remain prime minister by default. 61 seats are needed for a majority in the Knesset. Eisenkot may yet get there if he teams up with one of two Arab parties that gained ground in the Knesset. Those parties have traditionally stayed out of Israeli coalitions and Eisenot may struggle to bridge differences on difficult issues like mandatory national service or the Palestinian cause. If he does succeed in becoming prime minister, it would mark a stunning defeat for Netanyao, who has dominated Israel's political scene for much of the past three decades. While negotiations proceed, Netanyao will remain caretaker prime minister. So too, if negotiations fail and neither candidate manages to forge a new government, that means Israel's longest serving leader will retain the power to pursue the conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran in concert with US President Donald Trump, at least until another election is held.