Israel's election deadlock is a sign of the country's deep divisions

How these vastly diverging views coalesce into some form of government is now the unenviable task facing Israel's body politic - the choices and compromises they may have to make could involve fundamental decisions about the country's future.

Would Netanyahu be ready to abandon his religious allies and form a coalition with right-wingers from the opposition bloc? Would they be ready to swallow their hostility towards the prime minister and sit in his government?

Is the opposition bloc ready to abandon much of its campaign promises and co-operate with Arab parties to force Netanyahu out of office? Are the Arab parties ready to risk joining a government that could fall within months?