Pakistan, Oct. 29 -- Israel's parliamentary elections have placed the Middle East at a dangerous crossroads. As votes are counted, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political alliance is struggling to secure the parliamentary majority needed to retain power, while opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot is challenging his leadership. Preliminary results suggest that neither camp has secured the 61 seats required to govern. Yet the consequences extend far beyond Israel's political boundaries.

The question confronting the world is not simply whether Netanyahu will return to office, but whether the Middle East will witness another period of military confrontation, humanitarian suffering and escalating hostility towards Iran, or finally move towar...