With Gantz heading a slightly larger faction and Netanyahu garnering slightly more recommendations, Rivlin pushes for unity

Head of ultra-Orthodox party expected to give statement to the press ahead of talks with Rivlin on who should form the next government

Gantz to decide how to officially respond to offer of unity government that includes ultra-Orthodox, Yamina; but party sources accuse PM of refusing to accept voters’ decision

While Elections Committee is delaying results to allow extra scrutiny, sources tell Channel 12 Netanyahu currently has support of only 55-56 seats

Some 6.3 million eligible voters will have a chance to cast ballots in a repeat election seen as a referendum on the rule of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Rick Perry says Trump has authorized release of strategic oil reserves should the US need them, expresses confidence 'the market is resilient'

It is not immediately clear if PM's statement at cabinet meeting reflects content of Washington's initiative or Israel's intentions

After Politico says US is accusing Israel of placing equipment near the White House to snoop on president, PM's office says Jerusalem's policy is to not spy in US

Riyadh calls PM's vow to apply sovereignty to most of Jordan Valley a 'very dangerous escalation'; Damascus says move consistent with Israel's 'expansionist nature'

Central Bureau of Statistics releases official voter figures ahead of September 17 ballot, showing 79% of electorate is Jewish, 16% Arab, 5% other minorities