Israel

Netanyahu, Gantz have less than two weeks to get 61 signatures that would make them PM-designate. Neither is likely to reach threshold.

"It would be far-reaching judicial activism to establish that the president cannot give the mandate to form a government to someone who the citizens of the country vote for, assuming that they vote in high numbers of Netanyahu,” says vice president of the Israel Democracy Institute.

Located beyond the Green Line, Ariel University – like other Israeli institutions in Judea and Samaria and the Golan Heights – has traditionally been excluded from such collaborations.

Likud will hold a leadership vote, apparently in around six weeks, as pressure mounts on the veteran leader from MK Gideon Sa’ar, who called for a snap primary vote. Likud MK Nir Barkat: Nir Barkat: “The call to conduct primaries for the leadership of the party is an attempt to oust the premier." Supreme Court dismisses a petition by a watchdog group to force Netanyahu to step aside.

Likud MK Gideon Sa'ar calls for party primary, says he will vie for Likud leadership. New Right's Naftali Bennett promoting direct elections for role of PM so as to avoid calling third elections.

Some 44% of Israelis believe Benjamin Netanyahu is best suited for the role of prime minister and 37% believe the same of Blue and White leader Benny Gantz. Survey predicts Likud would win 33 mandates in the next elections compared to Blue and White's 34. Yisrael Beytenu is expected to fall from its current nine Knesset seats to seven.

After Israel Hayom first reports that Blue and White and Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman agree to a minority government backed by the Joint Arab List, PM Netanyahu says: "Come to your senses and come to the same unity government the people expect." Joint Arab List: Another Netanyahu spin job, we will never support a gov't with Lieberman. Blue and White: This would only be a "transition government."

Only 28% of the public back the formation of a narrow right-wing government and as little as 17% support a narrow left-wing coalition.

"The worst government of all is one that depends on the Arab parties," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells Israel Hayom.