Ephrat Livni

The Venezuelan opposition leader returned home from exile to a country firmly under American control. How are her relations with Washington?

The election is Israel’s first since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition faces opposition parties loosely led by a former military chief whose son was killed in the Gaza war.

Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich lead ultranationalist parties that previously joined forces, in deals brokered by Benjamin Netanyahu. They are not on the same slate this time.

The election is Israel’s first since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition faces opposition parties loosely led by a former military chief whose son was killed in the Gaza war.

Israelis headed to the polls on Tuesday in the highest turnout in more than a quarter-century for what many say was one of the most consequential elections in the country's 78-year history.

Isaac Herzog, Israel's president, has a largely ceremonial role -- except after national elections, when it is his responsibility to choose a potential prime minister and then tasks that person with trying to form a government.

Blocs led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main challenger, Gadi Eisenkot, were roughly even as vote counting continued on Wednesday. It could take weeks to form the next government.

Israelis headed to the polls on Tuesday in the highest turnout in more than a quarter-century for what many say was one of the most consequential elections in the country's 78-year history.

Early exit polls suggested that Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party had won more seats than the leading opposition party.

Israelis turned out in huge numbers Tuesday to choose their next government. But with exit polls suggesting no clear winner, it could take weeks, months or longer to determine who will be prime minister.