Israel's Netanyahu begins coalition hunt amid deadlock

Israel’s prime minister is beginning the daunting task of trying to cobble together a coalition government. The country faces political deadlock that emerged from this month’s repeat elections, which had no clear winner.

A unity government with Benjamin Netanyahu’s main challenger, former army chief Benny Gantz, appears to be the preferred option. But on Thursday, the two main parties remained far apart.

Netanyahu has up to six weeks in his attempt. But as he doesn’t have the 61-seat majority needed to establish a government, his odds appear slim.

If Netanyahu fails, President Reuven Rivlin could ask Gantz to try. If he too doesn’t succeed, the president could choose another legislator or he could set in motion unprecedented third elections.