Karachi (Rafiq Mangat) — With no political bloc winning the 61-seat majority needed to form a government in the 120-member Knesset, Israel’s election has produced a political stalemate, and eight possible scenarios for breaking it have emerged.
Among the options being discussed, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the opposition could form a national unity government, which would command a potential 66 seats. Alternatively, opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot could lead a minority government backed by Arab parties, giving him a combined strength of 67 seats.
Netanyahu’s bloc, which holds 53 seats, could try to retain power in several ways: by forming a national unity government, by peeling away members of opposition parties, or by reaching a power-sharing agreement with his rival Eisenkot on dividing the premiership.
Eisenkot’s bloc, which holds 48 seats, could reach 67 seats if it secures the support of Arab parties, which together hold 19 seats.