Likud wins
AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, Pool
Likud wins
AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, Pool
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Polls have closed in today's vote for the Israeli Knesset. 

At stake tonight is a fourth term for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called for the elections in December 2014. At the time, Netanyahu's Likud party enjoyed a strong plurality, but polls tightened as the vote approached, and the last batch of published polls showed the center-left Zionist Union holding an approximately 4-seat lead over Likud in the crowded field vying for the Knesset's 120 seats. All timestamps are local Israel time.

Running updates: 

Final results are in, and it's a resounding victory for Likud.

11:39 p.m., Times of Israel: Here's why Netanyahu's victory is almost complete. Herzog, though, is in no hurry to concede.

11:27 p.m., Haaretz: Herzog is holding talks with potential coalition partners as part of an effort to form a broad government that excludes Netanyahu and Bennett.

-Jonathan Tobin over at Commentary: "Given that historically these polls tend to undercount the right and don't include the very significant vote of soldiers on active service in the Israeli Army, which also tends to tilt to the right-wing parties, the likelihood is that the Likud will wind up with a plurality."

-As the New York Times reports, the votes of some 250,000 soldiers, diplomats, and other voters won't be reported until Wednesday.

-10:26 p.m., Times of Israel: Likud supporters are celebrating what they say is a win.

-10:25 p.m., Haaretz: Netanyahu and Bennett to start talks on forming a right-wing government.

-Channel 2 and Channel 10 have released exit polls following the close of polling stations in Israel, and they look a good deal different to the last batch of polls released before the vote. Likud stands at 27 seats. That total would put Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a stronger position than expected to retain his post. With Israel Beiteinu and Jewish Home adding five and eight seats, respectively, those three center-right parties would hold 40 seats (61 are needed for a majority government), against the 43 seats projected to be attained by center-left Zionist Union (27), Yesh Atid (11) and Meretz (five). The Kulanu party led by Moshe Kahlon, a former Likud MK and minister, could emerge the kingmaker as expected, with 10 projected seats. Netanyahu has offered Kahlon a post as finance minister, were he to join a Likud-led government. UPDATE: This pie chart gives a breakdown of Knesset seats based on available exit polls.

-10:08 p.m., Haaretz: President Reuven Rivlin says he will push for a national unity government. Rivlin, considered a rival of Netanyahu, decides which party leader to tap to assemble a coalition.

-10:02 p.m., Times of Israel: Likud rallies in exit poll, stands even at 27 seats with Zionist Union.

-Via the New York Times, on social media is challenging the limits of Israel's election laws. 

-8:43 p.m., Times of Israel: The Jewish Home party, which polled at 12 seats and more in the final polls of the election published last Friday, is at risk of dropping below 10 seats.

"We must not let religious Zionism fall," warns the party's leader Naftali Bennett.

-More on the Joint List, from Global Post: "Palestinians still make up 20 percent of Israel's population today. And yet, Arab parties have never held serious political power. That may be about to change."

-Some polling day pictures: 

-Jonathan Tobin on whether Arab votes will decide the Israeli election: "It would be ironic if the supposedly historic win for Israeli Arab voters were to return the man they most dislike to the prime minister's office. But if enough undecided Israeli voters think Herzog really does need Arab votes to govern, that may be what will happen."

-According to Netanyahu, foreign money is toppling Likud.

-Among the stories to watch as results emerge is the performance of the Joint List, an Arab-Israeli party whose leader, Ayman Odeh, could emerge as the first-ever Arab Israeli head of opposition. From Al Monitor: "No one who has toured the Arab communities in recent days needs to wait for the exit polls to realize that a clear-cut and historic turnabout has taken place in this Israeli election, at least among the Arab sector. It is poised to rock and reshape Israel's political map."

And World Post with more: 

-7:53 p.m., Times of Israel: Labor sounds decidedly optimistic. MK Stav Shaffir: We feel the change in every ballot box that we visit, and mainly in the frightened responses of Likud."

-7:43 p.m., Jerusalem Post: Center-Left Yesh Atid party hoping for another election night surprise.

-7:30 p.m., Haaretz: "Zionist Union leader Isaac Herzog said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "panicking," adding that his "lies" earlier on Tuesday prove that he is a "hysterical, divisive, inciting prime minister.""

-6:17 p.m., Jerusalem Post: Herzog slams Netanyahu for issuing a plea to voters to counter Arab Israelis voting 'en masse.' Herzog: "We don't want to suddenly find out tonight that we're getting an extremist government consisting of Netanyahu and Marzel that will tear Israel apart."

-6:00 p.m., Haaretz: Naftali Bennett says foreign funds are sponsoring leftist push: Habayit Hayehudi Chairman Neftali Bennett accused the left of receiving "foreign funds" to finance their campaign, saying "foreign nationals" are present at the polling stations, encouraging voters to cast their ballots in favor of leftist parties.

-4:39 p.m., Haaretz: Shas responded to the Central Elections Committee's injunction against its flyers promising those who vote for the party a "key to heaven."

"Prayers, mezuzot, and talismans are an inseparable part of the tradition of the majority of citizens. We're proud of our tradition, enough with the silencing and incitement!" Shas said in a statement.