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Israel election: No clear winner, exit polls suggest Israel election: No clear winner, exit polls suggest
(35 minutes later)
Israel's governing Likud party and the opposition Zionist Union are neck-and-neck in Israel's general election, according to exit polls.Israel's governing Likud party and the opposition Zionist Union are neck-and-neck in Israel's general election, according to exit polls.
Estimates by two Israeli broadcasters gave both sides 27 seats each in the 120-seat parliament, the Knesset.Estimates by two Israeli broadcasters gave both sides 27 seats each in the 120-seat parliament, the Knesset.
Both would need support from other parties to form a governing coalition.Both would need support from other parties to form a governing coalition.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the vote as a "great victory" for his Likud party, which is credited with a better result than expected.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the vote as a "great victory" for his Likud party, which is credited with a better result than expected.
In a speech to his jubilant supporters in Tel Aviv, he said this was achieved "against all odds".In a speech to his jubilant supporters in Tel Aviv, he said this was achieved "against all odds".
Referring to the Israeli voters, he said: "You are all important to me." He also urged the leaders of what he described as Israel's "national camp" to create "a government without delay".Referring to the Israeli voters, he said: "You are all important to me." He also urged the leaders of what he described as Israel's "national camp" to create "a government without delay".
Likud had trailed the centre-left Zionist Union in opinion polls in the run-up to the poll.Likud had trailed the centre-left Zionist Union in opinion polls in the run-up to the poll.
However, the centre-left Zionist Union dismissed what it termed "spin" from Likud as "premature".However, the centre-left Zionist Union dismissed what it termed "spin" from Likud as "premature".
Yitzhak Herzog, head of the Zionist Union, said: "We will wait for the real results. Everything is open. The public wants a change." Yitzhak Herzog, head of the Zionist Union, told his supporters that he was confident of forming the next government.
"We have achieved an unbelievable achievement today." "We have achieved an unbelievable achievement today.
"I will do all that I can in order to create a real socially-minded government for Israel."
He added that - while the final results were not yet known - "I will do all that I can in order to create a real socially minded government for Israel".
Earlier, Mr Herzog stressed that the Israeli "public wants a change".
Final results are not expected until Wednesday morning.Final results are not expected until Wednesday morning.
At the scene: BBC's Kevin Connolly, Likud HQ, Tel AvivAt the scene: BBC's Kevin Connolly, Likud HQ, Tel Aviv
The Likud activists were dancing and singing within minutes of the TV stations broadcasting their exit polls quite simply because they can see a relatively simple pathway towards the formation of another right-wing coalition.The Likud activists were dancing and singing within minutes of the TV stations broadcasting their exit polls quite simply because they can see a relatively simple pathway towards the formation of another right-wing coalition.
It would involve Mr Netanyahu teaming up with the secularists of Yisraeli Beitenu and Kulanu, and adding the religious nationalists of Jewish Home and the parties that represent ultra-orthodox Jews like Shas.It would involve Mr Netanyahu teaming up with the secularists of Yisraeli Beitenu and Kulanu, and adding the religious nationalists of Jewish Home and the parties that represent ultra-orthodox Jews like Shas.
The outline of a workable coalition can be seen much more easily from this vantage point than from the point of view of the leftist Zionist Union led by Yitzhak Herzog.The outline of a workable coalition can be seen much more easily from this vantage point than from the point of view of the leftist Zionist Union led by Yitzhak Herzog.
He campaigned well and if the exit polls are to be believed he polled pretty well too - but the coalition arithmetic simply doesn't look so good for him.He campaigned well and if the exit polls are to be believed he polled pretty well too - but the coalition arithmetic simply doesn't look so good for him.
Likud celebrates surprise successLikud celebrates surprise success
When final results are known, Israel's president will give the task of forming a government to a party leader who he thinks has the strongest chance of assembling a coalition.When final results are known, Israel's president will give the task of forming a government to a party leader who he thinks has the strongest chance of assembling a coalition.
Haaretz newspaper quotes President Reuven Rivlin as saying: "Only a unity government can prevent the rapid disintegration of Israel's democracy and new elections in near future."Haaretz newspaper quotes President Reuven Rivlin as saying: "Only a unity government can prevent the rapid disintegration of Israel's democracy and new elections in near future."
Israel's form of proportional representation always produces smaller parties and coalition government, the BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen in Tel Aviv reports.Israel's form of proportional representation always produces smaller parties and coalition government, the BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen in Tel Aviv reports.
He says Mr Netanyahu's premature declaration of victory was based on his confidence that he has more allies among the smaller parties than Mr Herzog.He says Mr Netanyahu's premature declaration of victory was based on his confidence that he has more allies among the smaller parties than Mr Herzog.
Mr Netanyahu could become Israel's longest-serving leader if he secures a fourth term.Mr Netanyahu could become Israel's longest-serving leader if he secures a fourth term.
No party has ever won an outright majority under Israel's proportional representation voting system.No party has ever won an outright majority under Israel's proportional representation voting system.
Almost 72% of those eligible voted in the election, which ended at 22:00 local time (20:00 GMT). The turnout was four points higher than the previous election in 2013.Almost 72% of those eligible voted in the election, which ended at 22:00 local time (20:00 GMT). The turnout was four points higher than the previous election in 2013.
Israel's Channel 1 and Channel 10 both projected 27 seats each for Likud and Zionist Union, while Channel 2 gave Likud a one-seat lead, with 28 seats.Israel's Channel 1 and Channel 10 both projected 27 seats each for Likud and Zionist Union, while Channel 2 gave Likud a one-seat lead, with 28 seats.
Sixty-one seats are needed in order to secure a majority.Sixty-one seats are needed in order to secure a majority.
The Joint Arab List, an alliance of Israeli Arab-dominated parties, has come third with about 13 seats, exit polls suggest.The Joint Arab List, an alliance of Israeli Arab-dominated parties, has come third with about 13 seats, exit polls suggest.
It has said, however, that it will not take any positions in government.It has said, however, that it will not take any positions in government.
Mr Netanyahu had vowed not to allow the creation of a Palestinian state if he wins a fourth term, while Zionist Union has expressed support for a two-state solution and promised to repair relations with Palestinians and the international community.Mr Netanyahu had vowed not to allow the creation of a Palestinian state if he wins a fourth term, while Zionist Union has expressed support for a two-state solution and promised to repair relations with Palestinians and the international community.
The main playersThe main players
Who are the key candidates?Who are the key candidates?