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What’s happened: Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin formally asked Benjamin Netanyahu last night to try and form Israel’s next Government.

• President Rivlin explained his decision by presenting the simple maths, Netanyahu represents a loyal block of 55 members of Knesset, whilst 10 of the 54 supporting Benny Gantz, have announced that they will not serve in his government. He added: “Yisrael Beiteinu did not support either of the candidates, nor did they rule either of them out. Therefore, Benjamin Netanyahu has a better chance of forming a government at the moment.”
• Netanyahu took the opportunity to renew his call for a broad unity government saying: “We won’t be able to form a government unless we do it together.” Netanyahu called for “national reconciliation” for security reasons, economic reasons and the “one-time opportunity” of the expected US plan for Israel and the Palestinians.
• The Likud’s chief negotiator invited Blue and White leaders to a negotiation meeting this morning.

Context: The President’s decision followed a second meeting between Netanyahu and Gantz, mediated by the President as well as another meeting between their respective negotiation teams that failed to produce a breakthrough.

• Blue and White repeated their earlier position that they would not serve in a Government with a Prime Minister who is facing an imminent indictment for criminal offences.
• Despite Netanyahu’s call for a unity government he has also remained committed to his right wing and ultra-Orthodox allies. This proved a significant barrier during the brief negotiations between the Likud and Blue and White leaders.
• Analysts speculate that Benny Gantz took the decision to ensure Netanyahu goes first in trying to form a Government because he believes he will be in a stronger position if he is asked to form a Government after Netanyahu has tried and failed. Gantz is also reportedly coordinating with Avigdor Lieberman and together they are fully committed to forming a liberal and secular government.
• The President provided details of his talks with party leaders saying: “I offered both candidates the establishment of a shared government. That would mean a government of equals, in which neither bloc would have an advantage. I also suggested that alongside the prime minister, the law would be changed to give force and power to the role of the interim prime minister.” According to Haaretz, Netanyahu agreed to a power sharing compromise including rotating the role of prime minister, but Gantz did not.    ​​​​​​​

Looking ahead: Netanyahu now has 28 days to form a government, with a possible two-week extension. After that he has committed to returning the mandate so President Rivlin can ask someone else. If the second candidate also fails then a third candidate requires written support from 61 MKs. If the third attempt fails the Knesset automatically disbands and another election will be called.

• Netanyahu has three main options to build a 61 seat majority, none of them are likely. First Lieberman could completely reverse his position and join a Netanyahu led right wing ultra- Orthodox Government. Secondly, the Labour party could join Netanyahu with its 6 seats. Third, Netanyahu could attract defectors from the Blue and White party with major ministerial jobs.
• On Wednesday 2 October Netanyahu’s lawyers will challenge the evidence against him in a pre-trial hearing with the attorney general.
• The 22nd Knesset will be sworn in next Thursday 3 October.