Israel is in a political deadlock. What comes next?

Israeli left-wing activists call for a government with Arab parties outside Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot's residence in Herzliya, Israel, Thursday. David Goldman/AP hide caption David Goldman/AP TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel's election has produced a political deadlock, leaving neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his main challenger, Gadi Eisenkot, with a clear path to forming a government. The final results give opposition parties more seats than Netanyahu's right-wing bloc. But Eisenkot, a center-right former military chief of staff, cannot reach a governing majority without the support of predominantly Arab parties — an option Eisenkot's allies repeatedly ruled out during the campaign. Netanyahu's Likud party received the most votes, but his bloc also falls short of a majority. The coalition of right-wing, far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties that supported his previous government does not control the 61 seats required for a majority in Israel's 120-seat parliament, known as the Knesset. Here is what happens next and the possible paths to a new Israeli government. How does Israel form a government? In the next few days, Israel's president will consult with the leaders...