Netanyahu claims a “decisive” right-wing majority as Israeli election projections show neither bloc reaching the 61 seats needed to govern

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called early this morning for the immediate formation of a “national right-wing government,” asserting that right-wing parties had won a “decisive majority” among the Zionist public. His statement came after a parliamentary election marked by high voter turnout, with projections pointing to a deadlock in the 120-seat Knesset.

Exit polls and preliminary counts indicated that neither Netanyahu’s incumbent coalition nor the opposition bloc had reached the 61 seats required for an outright majority. Television exit polls released after voting closed at 10 p.m. showed Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc only slightly ahead of the main opposition alliance, according to i24 News.

Official vote counting by the Central Elections Committee was still underway. The fragmented projections pointed to a political stalemate, leaving Netanyahu without the unencumbered parliamentary victory he had hoped for.

Both sides are expected to court smaller factions in intensive coalition maneuvering to break the legislative deadlock.