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Israeli PM Netanyahu Gives Up Trying to Form Government

Linda Gradstein

   JERUSALEM - After almost a month of trying, long-time Israeli Prime
   Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he is unable to form a new
   government. The move paves the way for former Army Chief of Staff and
   centrists rival Benny Gantz to try to cobble together a majority
   coalition of at least 61 lawmakers in the 120-seat Knesset, although it
   does not seem that he will find the job any easier.

   Israel President Reuven Rivlin has not yet officially asked Gantz to
   try to put together a government, but the former military man said he
   was optimistic he will be able to do so in the 28 days allotted.

   "We're going to do a day's work now," Gantz said. "We're always
   optimistic, it's a way of life."

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