Israel vote leaves Netanyahu and Eisenkot blocs tied in exit polls

Israel's election left no clear winner, with exit polls showing Gadi Eisenkot's opposition bloc level with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hard-right camp after voting on Oct. 27. Eisenkot, a former military chief in his first race, told supporters in Tel Aviv that voters had chosen change and pledged to move quickly to try to build a government. But neither side appeared to secure a majority, raising the prospect of difficult coalition talks rather than an immediate transfer of power. The strongest gains came from Arab-Israeli parties, whose turnout surged. Eisenkot also warned Netanyahu against using security tensions with Iran for political advantage as negotiations begin.