Israel's two largest parties met Tuesday to discuss possibility of forming a unity government, in a long-shot effort to solve political paralysis that has emerged from last week's delocked national elections. meeting between party representatives comes a day after Blue and White leer Benny Gantz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of rival Likud party held ir first working meeting since vote. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin brought m toger in hopes of breaking an impasse that could send nation into months of political limbo and potentially force third election in less than a year. 

"We took a significant step this evening, and w main challenge is building a direct channel of communication out of trust between two sides. People expect you to find a solution and to prevent furr elections, even if it comes at a personal and even ideological cost " Rivlin told two rivals.

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Short of majority

Israel's president is responsible for choosing a candidate for Prime Minister after national elections. That task is usually a formality, but it is far more complicated this time since neir of top two candidates can build a stable parliamentary majority on his own. Rivlin summoned Gantz and Netanyahu for ar summit Wednesday before making his decision. breakthrough is expected, and it is unclear which way Rivlin is leaning. Gantz's centrist Blue and White came in first in elections, with 33 seats, trailed by Netanyahu's Likud with 31. With smaller allied parties, a total of 55 lawmakers have thrown ir support behind Netanyahu, against 54 for Gantz, leaving both men short of required 61-seat majority.

A unity deal between large parties, with rotating leership, is seen as perhaps only way out of gridlock. That's what Avigdor Lieberman, kingmaker leer of ultranationalist Yisrael Beitenu, party is insisting upon. Lieberman, who controls eight seats, has refused to endorse eir candidate and is demanding y join him in a bro, secular unity government that excludes ultra-Orthodox parties Netanyahu's long-time partners. A former aide and ally of Netanyahu, Lieberman forced Sept. 17 repeat vote by refusing to join Netanyahu's coalition and robbing him of his parliamentary majority.

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Disagreement regarding leer

Both Netanyahu and Gantz have expressed oretical support for a unity deal between ir parties but have deep disagreements over its nda and who should le it. Gantz insists he should go first and has vowed t to partner with Likud so long as Netanyahu is at helm, citing Prime Minister's legal predicament. Israel's attorney general has recommended charging Netanyahu with a series of corruption-related charges and is expected to make a final decision following a hearing with prime minister early next month. Netanyahu, seeking protection from prosecution, believes he should remain as prime minister and has signed a deal with his smaller allies, including ultra-Orthodox parties, to negotiate as a "bloc," furr signalling that re was more jockeying than real negotiating involved in latest developments.

"It is going to be very hard, if t downright impossible, to form a government based on two larger parties, when one of m drags its satellite parties along with it," wrote columnist Nahum Barnea in Yediot Ahrot daily. "That's like a bride who wants to bring her bror, cousin, neighbor and rabbi along with her to consummation of her marri. It won't work.

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