Abbas hopes to capitalize on the unexpected strength of moderates.
-Blouin Politics: Surprise rebuke for the right

Yair Lapid signaled try to move Netanyahu government to more centrist positions.
-Blouin Politics: Israeli right's surprise rebuke

After a strong showing of Israeli moderates in parliament elections, Palestinian officials plan to reassure Israel's public that they are partners for peace.

JERUSALEM (AP) — A badly weakened Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu scrambled Wednesday to keep his job by extending his hand to a new centrist party that advocates a more earnest push on peacemaking with the Palestinians after Israel's parliamentary election produced a stunning deadlock.

Strong enough (if underwhelming) showing by right in Israeli election means P.M. Netanyahu should stay on, though the shape of his coalition still unclear.

International community has slapped tough sanctions on Iran; urged Tehran to open its nuclear program.

Surveys have Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Beiteinu list winning 32 to 37 of parliament's 120 seats, making it the best positioned to form Israel's next government.

Report on pace of construction released a week before parliamentary elections, which P.M. is poised to win.

Former journalist has led her party toward a focus on social and economic issues, leaving its anti-war past behind at a time of strong nationalist sentiment.

Center-left activists hoping to defy what is expected to be an easy win for the incumbent prime minister.