4 Takeaways From Israel's Election

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorVotes are still being counted in Israel's election, and the New York Times says nearly every side could end up disappointed as bitter talks begin over forming a government.

2. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWith seventy-seven percent counted, Likud has twenty point eight percent and Yashar has sixteen point four.

3. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTurnout was nearly seventy-eight percent, the highest since nineteen ninety-nine, according to TNND.

4. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorA winning party needs sixty-one of the hundred and twenty Knesset seats, NPR says, and whoever gets the first chance has six weeks to build a government.

5. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorGadi Eisenkot declared victory earlier, though the count doesn't yet show seats.

6. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorHe has pledged not to join a government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, who has ruled out relying on Arab-led parties and calls such a government a danger to Israel.

7. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorRa'am leader Mansour Abbas says, quote, our vote will change the government. Polls suggested Arab-led parties earned about eighteen seats.

8. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorNetanyahu stays on as interim caretaker while the talks go on. Watch the six-week clock once a party is given the first try.

9. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorEverybody's pledged not to sit with everybody else. Six weeks, sixty-one seats, and nobody will share a table.

10. 

    Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorIt's going to be a long, awkward dinner.

11. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorOr a chance for everyone to find common ground.

12. 

    Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorHank, it could all collapse. Gridlock, six weeks of it, maybe another election. Say it's the end.

13. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorPlausible.

14. 

    Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorPlausible. I'm framing that.