Talks with potential partners have already begun as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears short of victory in the latest Israeli election.

The results of the latest Israeli election point to yet another stalemate. Preliminary results show Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s potential right-wing alliance two seats short of the 61 needed to form a coalition government. There’s much at stake for the country’s longtime leader whose trial on corruption charges is set to begin next month.

To discuss:

• Ruthie Blum is a columnist for the Jewish News Syndicate and Jerusalem Post
• Jafar Farah is a Palestinian rights advocate and the head of the Mossawa Center in Israel.
• Amotz Asa-El is a senior commentator with The Jerusalem Post.

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🇮🇱 The idea behind such an #initiative would be that a band of left, right & Israeli-#Arab parties might be unable to form a #government, but might still be able to take Netanyahu out of the mix.

Analysis by @jeremybob1 | #IsraElex4 | #israelelections https://t.co/MDZsFxpJzD

— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) March 24, 2021

An Arab Islamist could choose Israel’s next prime minister. The elections have left a razor-thin margin between a right-wing coalition led by Prime Minister Netanyahu and a diverse array of parties. Each side needs the support of the United Arab List. https://t.co/Qb3KSe4buw

— The Associated Press (@AP) March 24, 2021

Netanyahu urges rivals to join him in coalition, warning 5th elections otherwise https://t.co/peFwVuqF12

— The Times of Israel (@TimesofIsrael) March 24, 2021