Exit Polls Leave Israel Coalition Deadlocked, Ra’am Kingmaker

After Israel’s election, exit polls showed neither the Netanyahu-aligned bloc nor its opponents with a clear path to the 61 seats needed to form a government, leaving Ra’am and its projected seven seats potentially pivotal. Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas said figures from both camps had contacted him and that he was open to considering a government led by Gadi Eisenkot if a viable coalition could be assembled; some opposition parties have ruled out partnering with Arab parties, complicating that effort. Abbas said the party hopes to win an eighth seat and use greater influence to address crime and violence, home demolitions and racism affecting Arab communities.