ISRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival Benny Gantz are jostling over the terms of a unity government, after the country’s second election in a year ended in deadlock.
Local media said both men’s parties failed to win enough votes on Tuesday to build a coalition with a majority.
Netanyahu urged Gantz to start negotiations on a joint administration.
Gantz rebuffed the idea, calling it spin. He said he wanted a unity government – but only one led by him.
His party has ruled out joining a coalition led by Netanyahu, who faces possible corruption charges.
At a ceremony attended by both party leaders in Jerusalem, President Reuven Rivlin said he had heard “loud and clear the voices calling for a broad and stable national unity government” and praised the prime minister for “joining that call”.
Rivlin will hold consultations with party representatives before nominating a candidate whom he believes has the best chance of forming a government.
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