Just days after being tapped for a fifth term, PM poised to give back the mandate because of the stalled unity talks. Move could lead to Gantz getting Rivlin's blessing to form government, but his chances are even lower than Netanyahu's.
In the confusion that has reigned since Sept. 17, a strong desire for a unity government has emerged – although which parties should make up that government is a subject of disagreement. Few want to a see the country hold a third election in the space of a year.
After an inconclusive Knesset election last week, PM Netanyahu has no obvious path to the 61-seat majority required to rule. Nor does it look like his opponents are going to budge. Here's how it could play out.
In Facebook video, Joint Arab List leader Ayman Odeh says Balad withdrew support for Benny Gantz at the request of Blue and White MK Ofer Shelah, because the party hopes PM Netanyahu will fail to form a government.
"If I don't succeed, I will return the mandate to you and with the help of God and Israel's citizens and yourself, Mr. President, we will establish a broad national unity government down the line," Netanyahu says.
Yisrael Beytenu leader appears more aligned with Benny Gantz than ever as he accuses Netanyahu of dragging out coalition talks and working toward bringing about a third election.
Likud's gain is United Torah Judaism's loss, as ultra-Orthodox party drops to 7 Knesset seats. Division of Knesset seats among political blocs remains unchanged, with Center-Left holding on to 57 seats compared to the Right's 55.
Senior officials in Blue and White hope that pre-indictment hearing on criminal cases involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make negotiations about a rotation for prime minister irrelevant.
President tells Likud, Blue and White leaders: "People expect you to find a solution and to prevent further elections, even if it comes at a personal and even ideological cost. This is not the time to exclude people."
Trump administration officials familiar with American-Israeli relations say the political stalemate in Israel is leading to a significant missed opportunity from Israel's perspective. The officials further intimate that Israeli leaders need to take into account the unique opportunity provided by the Trump presidency, but refrain from saying so explicitly.
