While Yesh Atid and Yamina leaders have cooperated in the past and have agreed Bennett will go first as PM, significant hurdles remain; coalition must rely on Islamist Ra'am party

PM reportedly held secret meeting with Yamina leader in bid to prevent him supporting 'change bloc'; premier said demanding commitment to measures that could help cancel his trial

Yesh Atid, Yamina, New Hope meet for day-long session; Ayelet Shaked said to seek return to Justice Ministry; Ra’am hints at 'significant development'

Major gaps still reported to remain between the opposing parties that would form a potential power-sharing coalition; PM's deadline expiring in 6 days

Politicians weigh in on overnight violence around Old City that left over 120 wounded, 50 arrested; security forces on high alert amid running ethnic tensions

Unsourced TV report says premier seeking to sow division in party to thwart a coalition not led by him, cites pro-Netanyahu journalists' tweets calling on Shaked to jump ship

Sderot mayor forgoes seat in parliament moments before colleagues recommend right-wing party's leader, Naftali Bennett, for PM

Right-wing leader opts not to ally himself with either Netanyahu or Lapid at this stage, appearing to deepen parliamentary deadlock

Lamenting political situation that has forced 4 rounds of voting in 2 years, president says power to influence is in hands of public; Netanyahu calls day a 'festival of democracy'

New Hope leader declares he isn’t ‘in Netanyahu’s pocket’ like the Yamina chief, who ruled out joining a Lapid-led government