Israel: Netanyahu’s bloc leads in election but falls short of a majority

With 70% of ballots counted in Israel’s parliamentary election, Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc is leading with 54 of the Knesset’s 120 seats. The opposition has 47 seats, while Arab parties are projected to win 19, leaving neither main camp with a majority. Netanyahu and his centre-right rival have ruled out governing with the Arab parties, leaving a possible coalition between the two as a way to avoid another election. Turnout is close to 80%, its highest level since 1999.