PM NETANYAHU RACES AGAINST TIME TO PUT TOGETHER A COALITION GOVT

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced a midnight deadline on Tuesday in a bid to form a government, a daunting task that would likely require convincing the Jewish far-right to cooperate with an Islamic party.

Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, was given a 28-day window to forge a majority coalition following a March 23 election, Israel’s fourth inconclusive vote in less than two years.

The PM’s right-wing Likud Party won the most seats in the vote, but as results came, it became clear he would again struggle to secure a majority in the 120-seat parliament.

Hours before his negotiating window was due to expire, the obstacles facing the 71-year-old PM remained unchanged.

A coalition will likely require coming to terms with his estranged former protege Naftali Bennett, leader of Yamina Party. It may also require persuading the Religious Zionism alliance to cooperate with the Islamic Raam Party. Failure to reach a deal won’t push Netanyahu out of office. He will get two more weeks to form a coalition.