JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Monday that he had failed to form a majority government in parliament, marking a major setback for the embattled Israeli leader that plunges the country into a new period of political uncertainty. In a statement, Netanyahu said he had worked "tirelessly" to establish...
As Trump Abandons Kurds, Israel Worries How Dependable He Is
JERUSALEM — For the past three years, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has bet heavily on President Donald Trump and been rewarded with major diplomatic gains in exchange for his warm embrace of the U.S. leader. But the U.S. pullback from northeastern Syria, essentially abandoning its Kurdish allies, has called that strategy —...
Netanyahu’s Legal Saga Reaches Critical Stage in Israel
JERUSALEM — Prosecutors began a pre-indictment hearing for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, opening a critical stage in a lengthy legal saga that threatens to end the career of the long-serving Israeli leader and has paralyzed the country’s political system. Netanyahu’s lawyers sat down with Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit...
Israeli Politics Remain in Chaos After Deadlocked Election
JERUSALEM — Benjamin Netanyahu has been tasked by Israel's president to form a new government for the sixth time in his lengthy political career. This time it's no mere formality, but rather a daunting endeavor that looks like mission impossible. After an inconclusive national election last week, Netanyahu has no obvious path...
Israel's Netanyahu Given Chance to Form New Government
JERUSALEM — Israel's president on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a new government, giving the longtime leader the difficult task of breaking a post-election deadlock that has paralyzed the country's political system. After a divisive campaign, Netanyahu called for a "broad unity government" with his chief rival...
Israel's Main Parties Begin Talks on Coalition Government
JERUSALEM — Israel's two largest parties met Tuesday to discuss the possibility of forming a unity government, in a long-shot effort to break the political deadlock following last week's national elections. The meeting between party representatives comes a day after Blue and White leader Benny Gantz and Prime Minister Benjamin...
Rivals Jockey Over Forming Next Israeli Government
JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited his political rival Benny Gantz to join a unity government with him and his religious allies on Thursday, an offer that was greeted coolly amid continued deadlock following this week's election. The deadlock has already raised speculation about a possible third election in...
Israel’s Arabs Poised to Gain New Voice After Tight Election
JERUSALEM — Israel's Arab coalition appears poised to emerge as the main opposition bloc following Tuesday's election, a historic first that would grant a new platform to a long-marginalized minority. With more than 90% of votes counted Wednesday, the Joint List was expected to win about a dozen seats in...
Exit Polls Signal Setback for Israel's Netanyahu in Election
JERUSALEM — In an apparent setback for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the longtime Israeli leader on Tuesday fell short of securing a parliamentary majority with his hard-line allies in national elections, initial exit polls showed, putting his political future in question. Results posted by Israel's three major TV stations indicated...
Israeli PM Vows to Begin Annexing West Bank Settlements
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Tuesday to annex the heart of the West Bank if he wins re-election next week, a move that could inflame the Middle East and extinguish any remaining Palestinian hope of establishing a separate state. Arab leaders angrily condemned Netanyahu's remarks, and...