Challenger in Israel vote does not concede defeat

The main challenger to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he was disappointed with exit poll results but that his party would not compromise on its principles.

Speaking to supporters in Tel Aviv, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz also reminded them not to forget "two weeks from today, Benjamin Netanyahu will sit on the dock in Israeli court with three serious charges".

Exit polls on Israel’s main TV channels showed Netanyahu and his nationalist and religious allies winning 59 seats, two short of a parliamentary majority.

Gantz was projected to win 54 to 55 seats.

If the official results from Monday's election match the exit polls, Netanyahu could find himself stuck in continued political deadlock ahead of his trial on corruption charges, set to begin March 17.

Netanyahu is charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust stemming from accusations he accepted lavish gifts from billionaire friends and promised to promote advantageous legislation for a major newspaper in exchange for favorable coverage.

He vowed to prove his innocence in court.