September 19, 2019

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday canceled a visit to the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week amid political uncertainty in Israel, where he appeared to fall short of a government majority in national elections.

With more than 90 percent of the votes counted, Netanyahu's decade-long grip on power appeared to be slipping. His center-right Likud party was expected to win 31 seats, while its main rival, the centrist Blue and White party, was pulling ahead with 32 seats, according to the Central Election Committee.

That could give his rival, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, the first chance to form a new government, if he can put together a coalition with other parties. But it's not clear whether Gantz will join with the Likud party if Netanyahu continues to be its leader.

Read more: 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/netanyahu-cancels-trip-u-n-he-appears-fall-short-israel-n1055846