Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Israeli President Asks Netanyahu to Try to Form Unity Government

VOA News

   Israel's president has asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to try
   to form a new government after last week's deadlocked elections that
   have paralyzed the country.

   The office of President Reuven Rivlin made the announcement after
   meeting Wednesday with Netanyahu and his primary challenger, Benny
   Gantz.

   Rivlin has the responsibility of selecting the candidate he believes
   has the best chance of forming a coalition government after neither
   Netanyahu nor Gantz captured the required support of the parliamentary
   majority.

   Rivlin mediated two previous meetings this week between the
   politicians, hoping to reach a deal between Netanyahu's conservative
   Likud party and Gantz's centrist and liberal Blue and White alliance.

.