Israel’s parliamentary election on October 27 has produced a hung verdict, but with some distinct features.

With over 90 per cent votes counted the seats won by three blocs are: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 53; Godi Eisenkot 48; and Arab parties 19.

The majority required in the 120-member Knesset is 61, which neither of the two leading blocs possesses.

The election turnout was the highest in the past three decades.

While the Netanyahu bloc dropped from its pre-election 68 members to 53, the Arab parties rose from 10 to 19.

Consequently, PM Netanyahu has begun debunking the Arab success as vote theft.

The main Opposition leader is Gadi Eisenkot, whose party Yashar won 21 seats.

He is a former Army chief, who lost his son and some nephews in the Gaza military operation.

However, ideologically, even he subscribes to Zionism, albeit a moderate version.

Although he strongly opposes Mr Netanyahu, he shares his views on some issues, especially concerning the Palestinians.

The wrangling has already begun between the two main groups, competing to attain a majority of 61.

A number of factors are in play.

Firstly, there appears to be consensus amongst the Opposition parties, including the Arabs, that they must change the speaker, after agreeing on a new name.

Secondly, there is reluctance on the part of most members of the two dominant blocks, to not openly align with the Arabs.

Consequently, to attain a majority, sans the support of the Arabs, then parties would have to break away and defect.

Avigdor Liberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, provides an example of shifting allegiances since the past.

He split from Mr Netanyahu’s Likud in 1999.

He was foreign minister (2009-15) and then defence minister (2016-18) in Netanyahu’s Cabinet.

But since 2019 he has avoided joining it.

He has been critical of military conscription exemption given to ultra-religious Haredi youth.

Despite a Supreme Court ruling against it, the status quo remains.

Thus, although his winning candidates, numbering seven or eight, are being counted in the Netanyahu bloc, he is urging Mr Eisenkot to form a coalition with Mr Netanyahu.

However, both these leaders oppose conscription exemptions on religious grounds.