Election results in Israel: Netanyah forced to coalition with Islamic party

With nearly 90 per cent of the votes counted Wednesday, the prime minister's party clearly came in first with 30 seats. Opposition leader Yair Lapid took 17.

However, Netanyahu and Lapidi must persuade rival parties in parliament to join in creating a 61-seat government, writes The Guardian, term Periscopi.

That prospect seems suspicious for both of us, suggesting that two-year-old political blockades could continue, even with early fifth elections.

Current forecasts, which may change, show that for Netanyah to survive, I have to make great acrobatics by bringing together Israeli nationalists but also the small Islamist party Raéam.

This party has not ruled out the possibility of joining Netanyah. /Periscope