Friday briefing: Israel has a dilemma - can its opposition govern with Palestinian parties?

Good morning. It was described by many Israelis as the most consequential election in their country’s history. And, as the final votes were tallied, it has delivered a result that presents Israel with a significant dilemma.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition has lost its mandate while the opposition has a clear majority: but only if the Jewish Israeli opposition bloc, led by retired general Gadi Eisenkot, is prepared to make a governing pact with Palestinian Israeli parties, which have secured a historic result.

But the country that is desperate for change remains bitterly divided. After a campaign mired in racism, during which Israel’s far-right demonised the Palestinian population as the enemy within, Netanyahu has gone further since Tuesday’s vote, claiming that Palestinian-led parties have “stolen the election”, despite Israeli authorities insisting…