India, Oct. 31 -- Israel's Arab-led political parties have secured a record 19 seats in the country's parliamentary election, placing them at the centre of negotiations over who will form the next government. The Joint List won 11 seats, while Ra'am secured eight, giving the two separate parties considerable influence in a Knesset where neither major political bloc has a majority.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-led bloc finished with 53 seats, while the opposition grouping led by Gadi Eisenkot secured 48. Both remain short of the 61 seats required to command a majority in the 120-member parliament.

The combined strength of the Arab-led parties could take the opposition to 67 seats if both support it. However, their different ...