With just hours before the Knesset's term would automatically expire because of the ongoing budget stalemate, Netanyahu attacks Defense Minister Blue and White over conduct that led to unraveling of partnership.
Benny Gantz could have been defense minister for four years. Instead, he will be defense minister for less than a year.
It was clear to everyone that the unity deal between Likud and Blue and White would be short-lived. The only question now is who will get hurt when the mudslinging begins.
Knesset fails to pass bill that would allow it to postpone vote on the state budget. By law, if parliament fails to pass the state budget it must dissolve, triggering a general election.
Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman urges other opposition leaders to join him in forming an electoral bloc to oust PM Netanyahu. Were elections held at this time, Likud would win 27 Knesset seats while Blue and White would drop to six.
Likud maintains lead over rivals but could face a harder time forming a stable coalition, poll finds. Blue and White is in freefall, Labor still fails to pass the electoral threshold.
Radio poll projects 25 Knesset seats for Likud, 19 for Yamina, 14 for Yesh Atid, and only six for Blue and White. Gideon Sa'ar's currently unnamed party stands to become the third-largest faction in parliament.
Channel 12 News sees Likud garner 30 Knesset seats, Yamina, 21. Blue and White drops to 10 seats. Labor, Gesher, and Habayit Hayehudi not expected to pass the electoral threshold. Forty percent of respondents say Netanyahu is the reason Israel headed for yet another election.