21 November
Israel may hold a third general election in a year as negotiations led by an opposition leader to form a governing coalition have ended in failure.
The leader of the largest opposition Blue and White party, Benny Gantz, told reporters that he failed to form a coalition by the Wednesday deadline.
Gantz has led coalition talks at the request of the presidential office.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu first launched his bid to build a coalition following the September general election in which no party won a majority. But he was unable to win majority support in parliament.
Israel's parliament has 21 days to nominate a lawmaker to try to form a majority government. If no lawmakers are successful, it could usher in a third election this year.
Israeli media say it has become more likely that the country will hold a unprecedented third election in a year.
NHK
