Eyal Yinon says no new legislation may be submitted until parliament sworn in later this month, but Blue and White hadn't planned on lodging proposal before then

Unclear if initiative will be backed by all opposition parties, which combined have Knesset majority; also unclear if it's technically possible during transitional government

Tamar Zandberg and Itzik Shmuli lament Labor-Gesher-Meretz's projected 7 seats, though others praise merger for saving all three factions from falling under threshold

Official ballot count begins, set to extend throughout night; Netanyahu declares 'gigantic victory' for Israel

After hard-fought campaign seen as referendum on longtime leader’s rule, Likud predicted to win 36-37 seats, significantly more than Gantz’s Blue and White, with 32-33

Liberman issues denial, says party won't back any government it's not a member of; claims Peretz made statement for benefit of Netanyahu, in return for support in presidential bid

Leader MK Amir Peretz doesn't rule out sitting with Joint List or with ultra-Orthodox parties, says the key question will be the policies adopted by the new coalition

Yamina, Shas, United Torah Judaism stress commitment to endorse Likud leader after March elections; Blue and White warns pact will lead to 4th elections

Yisrael Beytenu chief expects PM to resign after March election, says he's 'in denial' over his future; claims Bennett, Shaked 'dream' of coalition without Netanyahu

Kingmaker Yisrael Beytenu chair says he's not opposed to serving with Labor-Gesher-Meretz alliance; says it's clear that Likud-Blue and White government won't happen