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Israel's President Asks Netanyahu to Form Coalition After Failed Unity Talks

Linda Gradstein

   JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began the task of
   forming a new coalition government Thursday after inconclusive
   elections Sept. 17. The move comes even though Netanyahu's Likud party
   obtained one seat less than challenger Benny Gantz's Blue and White
   party in the election. Likud won 32 seats to Blue and White's 33.

   President Reuven Rivlin gave Netanyahu the first chance to form the
   government Wednesday, deeming Netanyahu the one with the best odds of
   success. Rivlin made the decision after talks on a unity government
   between the two parties foundered. Such an arrangement would involve
   some kind of power-sharing or rotation of prime minister.

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