PM's office refuses to comment on last week's sit-down, during which he also reportedly urged Mansour Abbas to ignore Likud's claims they never sought the Islamist party's support

Parties in bloc seeking to replace Netanyahu reportedly close in on final deal to form a coalition, with first laws already under discussion, though divisions remain on ministries

UTJ's Porush Eichler suggest Likud leader let someone else lead a right-wing coalition for a year and a half, then return to his post

Yamina leader reportedly trying to finish negotiations with Lapid quickly to avoid defections, after party MK objects to coalition with left-wing parties

Yesh Atid leader, backed by 56 MKs, given 28 days to muster majority after Netanyahu fails to do so; Bennett declares now ‘is the time for a unity government’

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

The PM paved the far-right alliance's path into the Knesset. They showed their gratitude by refusing any alliance with Ra'am, leaving him with no means to muster a majority

As Ra'am's objection hinders initiative hours before premier's mandate to form government ends, Arrangements Committee advances right-wing bills in effort to split rival bloc

Longshot attempt comes hours before premier’s deadline to form a government; parties scramble over who will be tasked next to form coalition, Ra'am says it won't recommend anyone

Netanyahu and Lapid step up offers to Bennett, while talks continue in a bid to get far-right to agree to a government supported by Islamist Ra'am