Netanyahu's coalition prospects dim as ultra-Orthodox party withholds support

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's position weakened Thursday as an ultra-Orthodox party withheld support for any nominee and an Arab-led party backed his rival, complicating his bid to form a government after the October 27 election deadlock. President Isaac Herzog, who must pick a candidate by November 11, met Netanyahu and challenger Gadi Eisenkot after consultations. Netanyahu's Likud won 27 seats, but his religious-nationalist coalition holds only 53 of 120, while Eisenkot's bloc has 48 and Arab parties won 19. Netanyahu has cast doubt on election results amid a vote-tampering probe, which officials say found no integrity issues. Critics accuse him of undermining democracy, as Herzog warns against another election amid security challenges.