Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief rival announced on Nov. 20 that he had failed to form a new government, dashing his hopes of toppling the long-time Israeli prime minister and pushing the country closer toward an unprecedented third election in less than a year.
Gantz, a former military chief, was tapped to form a government last month after Netanyahu failed to put together a coalition in the wake of inconclusive September elections. But during four weeks of intense negotiations, Gantz was unable to muster the support of a required 61-member majority in the 120-seat parliament by Wednesday’s midnight deadline.
