Disappointing results for Israel’s leader

The country’s election remained too close to call today, a setback for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was seeking enough support to form a majority coalition government.

Mr. Netanyahu’s Likud party appeared to have come in second behind the Blue and White party of the former army chief Benny Gantz. Israeli exit polls have often proved unreliable, but if projections hold, Mr. Gantz would be given the first chance to form a government.

The voting comes five months after an inconclusive ballot and threatens the political future of Mr. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister.

What’s next: In a few days, President Reuven Rivlin will give the mandate to form a government to the candidate with the best chance of forming a viable coalition.