Likud rival of Israeli PM says party primary way forward

In the first sign of rebellion with Israel's ruling right-wing Likud, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's top party rival called for a leadership primary should the country go into an unprecedented third election in less than a year, as is expected.

Gideon Saar's remarks came as Israel's ceremonial president announced that for the first time in the country's history, no candidate has been able to form a government following recent elections, setting the beleaguered nation on course for yet another vote after two inconclusive results.

Reuven Rivlin formally informed parliament that neither Netanyahu nor his chief challenger, retired military chief Benny Gantz, have completed the task of building a coalition in the time allotted to them. The expiration of the presidential mandate kicks off the final 21-day window before new elections must be called.

Saar, a former aide and senior Cabinet minister under Netanyahu, said he supported the establishment of a unity government to avert such an election, but said he would be a better fit to make that happen than Netanyahu, who faces an expected indictment on corruption charges in the coming days.

"If we go to new elections, it will not be reasonable to think that the prime minister will be successful in forming a government after the third elections," he said at the Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference in Jerusalem.

"I think I will be able to form a government, and I think I will be able to unite the country and the nation."
But the main sticking point has revolved around Netanyahu himself. The long-time Israeli leader is desperate to remain in office as he prepares for the expected indictment. Gantz's Blue and White refuses to sit under