Netanyahu’s offer rebuffed
JERUSALEM - Israel’s weakened Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saw his offer on Thursday of a coalition with his strongest political rival swiftly rebuffed after failing to secure a governing majority in a tight election.
Mr Netanyahu’s surprise move was an abrupt change of strategy for the rightwing leader. Benny Gantz’s rejection of this offer could spell weeks of wrangling after Tuesday’s election, which followed an inconclusive national ballot in April.
Mr Gantz’s centrist Blue and White party emerged from the second round of voting this year slightly ahead of Mr Netanyahu’s Likud but lacking the numbers in the 120-member parliament to form a ruling bloc.
Mr Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, said he had pledged during the election campaign to form a right-wing, Likud-led government.