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Israeli PM's Rival Calls for Party Primary Before Elections

Associated Press

   JERUSALEM - In the first sign of rebellion within Israel's ruling
   right-wing Likud, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's top party rival
   called for a leadership primary should the country, as expected, go
   into an unprecedented third election in less than a year.

   Gideon Saar's remarks came as Israel's ceremonial president announced
   that for the first time in the country's history, no candidate has been
   able to form a government following recent elections, setting the
   beleaguered nation on a course for yet another vote after two
   inconclusive results.

   Reuven Rivlin formally informed parliament that neither Netanyahu nor
   his chief challenger, retired military chief Benny Gantz, have
   completed the task of building a coalition in the time allotted to
   them. The expiration of the presidential mandate kicks off the final
   21-day window before new elections must be called.

   Rivlin called it a "miserable political situation" and pleaded with
   lawmakers to find some form of compromise.

   "This is one of the most important times for soul-searching the state
   of Israel has known," he told parliament. "Let there be no illusions:
   this politics of disruption has to stop ... each one of you should look
   to their conscience and answer one question: `What is my duty to the
   state of Israel?"'

   First to step into the fray was Saar, a former aide and senior Cabinet
   minister under Netanyahu, who said he supported the establishment of a
   unity government to avert such an election, but that he would be a
   better fit to make that happen than Netanyahu, who faces an expected
   indictment on corruption charges in the coming days.

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