If the American peace plan is unveiled before the next government is established, it could justify a move toward a national unity government so that the proposal isn't rejected.

With some 95% of the vote in, the historic Labor party under Chairman Avi Gabbay won only six seats, an all-time low • In 2013, Labor won 15 seats • MK Eitan Cabel: Labor's failure is down to Gabbay and Gabbay alone.

Both the Right and the Left dealt plenty of low blows in this election campaign but now it's time for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to remember how close he came to losing and abandon his policy of attacks.

"The problem I have with Israel as a state is no different from the problem between Mexico and the Americans," Lebanese journalist Nadim Koteich says.

"Israelis have voted to preserve the status quo. They have said no to peace and yes to the occupation," says chief Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat, after exit polls after exit polls show left-wing parties suffering major losses in national election.