Israeli exit polls indicate a difficult path to coalition formation: no majority without Arab parties

The initial exit polls from the Israeli elections indicate a close race between Netanyahu's Likud party and the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot. Despite a high voter turnout, neither side appears to secure a majority in the Knesset. The opposition's potential coalition relies on Arab parties, which many have excluded from cooperation. Netanyahu's bloc has attempted to delegitimize the opposition by claiming they need Arab support to win. The possibility of a minority government with Arab backing is on the table, but key opposition figures oppose this. The political landscape remains uncertain, with new elections a potential outcome if coalition talks fail.