Israel is headed for a new national election, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition talks deadlocked ahead of a looming deadline.
Mr Netanyahu, who risks a major setback if he fails to reach an agreement before tomorrow morning’s (AEST) deadline, spoke in Israel’s parliament and said it was still possible a deal could be brokered to avoid “unnecessary” elections only six weeks after the previous poll.
He spoke shortly after parliament took the first step towards holding new polls, by preliminarily approving a law to dissolve itself. Three more rounds of voting are needed for final approval.
Earlier in the day, as Mr Netanyahu failed to convince a right-wing party leader to compromise and allow a deal to be reached, his close ally, US President Donald Trump, offered his support.
“Hoping things will work out with Israel’s coalition formation and Bibi and I can continue to make the alliance between America and Israel stronger than ever. A lot more to do!” Mr Trump tweeted from Japan.
Former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman has prevented a deal by refusing to budge from a key demand — and he shows no sign of backing down.
Holding elections so close to one another would be unprecedented in Israel, and there have been concerns over the cost and prolonged political paralysis that would result.
Read the article in The Australian (AP).