BIt's 1:36 in the morning, and Israel's election just landed with no clear winner — and a fight already brewing over who gets to form a government.
BExit polls show neither Netanyahu's bloc nor Gadi Eisenkot's opposition has the 61 seats needed for a majority.
BAnd Netanyahu is already drawing a line. He called the prospect of working with Arab parties to form a government, quote, 'a disgrace and a shame.'
BThat's a real statement. Arab parties could be the kingmakers here, and he's ruling them out before the votes are even fully counted.
BWhich is a gamble. If Eisenkot's bloc is bigger, he gets first crack at forming a government — and he might be more willing to deal.
BReuters is reporting the election appears deadlocked.
BSo the man who's dominated Israeli politics for years could be on the outside looking in. And he's not going quietly.
BMeanwhile, the State Department just updated travel advisories for 14 countries in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are now Level 3 — reconsider travel.
BThat's a significant shift. Egypt stays at Level 2, but the Gulf states getting bumped up tells you something about the temperature in the region right now.
BAnd Iran's president is calling for Muslim nations to unite against what he calls US-Israeli aggression.
BRight on schedule. The election results aren't even final, and Tehran's already using it to rally the region.
BOne analyst on X, Hussain Abdul-Hussain, says Iran sees the recent visits from Saudi, Turkey, and Pakistan as proof it's the center of the region — that others come to beg.
BThat's the framing Tehran wants. Whether it's true is another question. But the timing of this unity call, right as Israel's government hangs in the balance, is not an accident.
BWe'll be watching the vote count through the night. For now, the story is simple: Israel woke up to a political earthquake, and the aftershocks are already spreading.