Likud and Blue-White tie at 35 seats each, right wing bloc holds majority

With 97pc of votes counted in Israel’s general election, the two leading parties are even at 35 seats each in the 120-member Knesset. But Likud’s leader PM Binyamin Netanyahu holds the key to forming a government with a steady supporting bloc of 65 seats compared with Blue-White’s 55. The two ultra-religious parties -Shas and United Torah Judaism –won 8 seats each. The Arab Hadash-Ta’al came in next with 6 seats, followed by Israel Beitenu (Lieberman) and the National Religious Union with 5 seats apiece and, Kulanu (Kahlon) with four.