Israel stalemate

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday failed to meet a midnight deadline to put together a new governing coalition, raising the possibility that his Likud Party could be pushed into the opposition for the first time in 12 years. The deadline closed a four-week window granted to Netanyahu by Israel’s figurehead president. The matter now bounces back to President Reuven Rivlin, who is expected to give one of Netanyahu’s opponents a chance to form a government. If all else fails, the country would be forced into another election — the fifth in just over two years. The turmoil does not mean Netanyahu will immediately be forced out as prime minister. But he faces a serious threat to his rule just as his corruption trial kicks into high gear.