Rivals in Israel Election Strike Tone of Triumph, but Outcome Is Far From Clear

What happened: Israelis voted in large numbers, and exit polls showed opposition parties roughly even with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's alliance. No winner was clear, and vote counting was expected to last days. Key numbers: Two Arab parties were projected to win as many as 17 or 18 seats in the 120-seat Parliament. Why it matters: Neither bloc appeared able to form a government without the Arab parties, which both sides have balked at. Analysts weighed a possible unity government between Netanyahu and Eisenkot, though deep mutual opposition poses major obstacles.

Israelis voted in large numbers, and exit polls showed opposition parties roughly even with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's alliance. No winner was clear, and vote counting was expected to last days.

Neither bloc appeared able to form a government without the Arab parties, which both sides have balked at. Analysts weighed a possible unity government between Netanyahu and Eisenkot, though deep mutual opposition poses major obstacles.