The Knesset, which came into office less than two months ago, voted early Thursday 74-45 to disperse and call new elections. ——11:55 p.m.Israel’s parliament has approved a preliminary vote to dissolve itself, taking another step toward early elections. With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unable to form a coalition by a midnight deadline, parliament approved the motion late Wednesday 74 to 45. ——10:15 p.m.Israel’s raucous political world is on edge, counting down to a midnight deadline to see whether a new government will be formed or whether there will be an unpresented second election of the year. Backchannel negotiations are continuing to try and find a compromise that will allow Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu faction to join Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition.

Source: National Post May 29, 2019 21:08 UTC