IN THE WORLD TODAY

Netanyahu’s future as PM is unclear

UNCERTAINTY hovers over the outcome of Israel’s parliamentary election, with both prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and political rivals apparently lacking a clear path to a governing coalition.

Deadlock in the 120-seat parliament is a real possibility a day after the election –the fourth one to take place in Israel in four years – which had been dominated by Netanyahu’s polarising leadership.

With about 90% of the vote counted by yesterday morning, Netanyahu’s Likud party and its ultra-Orthodox and far-right allies fell short of a 61-seat majority – even if the Yamina party of Netanyahu’s ally-turned-critic Naftali Bennett were to join a Netanyahu-led government.

Bennett has refused to endorse either side. At the same time, a small Arab party has emerged as a potential kingmaker after the latest count indicated it would cross the threshold to get into parliament.

Like Bennett, the head of the Ra’am party, Mansour Abbas, has not ruled out joining either camp.

“We’re not in anyone’s pocket,” he told the 103 FM radio station.

“We’re willing to have contact with both of the sides with anyone who is trying to form a government and sees himself as a future prime minister,” Abbas added, reflecting the long road of negotiations ahead. “If there’s an offer we will sit, we will talk.”

A fifth election remains an option if no party can form a coalition.

In that case, Netanyahu would remain a caretaker prime minister heading for a corruption trial and a confrontation with US president Joe Biden over Iran.

Initial results show Israel remains deeply divided with many smaller parties dominating parliament.