Yair Golan

At the same time, Arab party leaders expressed that they were insulted not to have been asked to take part in the opposition bloc's negotiations for the next government.

Netanyahu met Ben-Gvir and Smotrich as opposition leaders held separate talks. Eisenkot accused Likud of undermining the vote, while Lapid urged patience.

Eisenkot could command a 67-seat majority with the Arab parties, but three of his bloc’s four parties explicitly ruled that out.

The meetings came after Golan called on Wednesday for the opposition to form a coalition with the Arab parties, following a combined total of 19 seats projected for the Joint List and Ra’am.

Arab citizens cannot be approached as potential partners only when their votes become necessary, while the harder conversation about their place in the country is postponed until another election.

Sources close to the Jarushi family indicated support for Ra'am and the Joint List, while associates of Eitan Hiya expressed a preference for Yair Golan.

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Gadi Zaig - the top stories, clear and concise.

Democrats chief: 'We have a majority, and opportunity to form a partnership with Israeli Arabs' • Joint List chair says Arab parties ready to 'pave way for Netanyahu's ousting'

Israeli election exit polls project eight seats for Yair Golan's Democrats, potentially more than doubling the party's parliamentary representation as coalition negotiations loom.

Security personnel noticed a suspicious object protruding from beneath the coat of a man in his 20s from Jerusalem, standing near Golan. He was detained, and a knife was found in his possession.