Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared best placed to form a governing coalition on Wednesday after high-stakes Israeli elections, exit polls showed, but remained in a tight race with his main rival as votes were being counted.
Both Netanyahu and ex-military chief Benny Gantz claimed victory after initial exit surveys were released by Israel’s three main television stations following the closure of polling venues on Tuesday night.
Two updated exit polls early on Wednesday put Netanyahu’s Likud ahead of Gantz’s Blue and White by one seat. A third poll showed the opposite, with Blue and White holding a one-seat advantage.
Both parties would, in any case, fall far short of a majority and be forced to form a coalition.
