No progress toward unity government reported, but sides agree to meet again in effort to break logjam that threatens third election in a year

Walking into negotiations with Gantz's representatives, Likud's Yariv Levin says he represents bloc of 55 right-wing parties including Likud, Jewish Home, New Right, Shas and UTJ

3rd election seen increasingly likely as unity talks go nowhere; Likud accepts Rivlin's proposal, but won't say if Netanyahu would take leave of absence if indicted

Officials in Netanyahu's party say whoever trips up efforts will lead to new elections; insist 'none' of right-wing-religious bloc will stay out of coalition

Arrivals in the country during past 12 months expected to hit 4.6 million, an 18% increase

Foreign Minister Israel Katz says Yisrael Beytenu chief blew up coalition talks because he hoped to prevent PM from forming coalition

In fiery press conference, Yisrael Beytenu chief accuses Likud of being a 'cult of personality,' trying to break up his party in coalition talks

Yariv Levin says Yisrael Beytenu leader deceived his voters, leading to new elections; firing back, Yisrael Beytenu calls Levin 'the ultimate liar'

But agreement to 'preserve status quo' on religion and state currently doesn't include Avigdor Liberman, who refuses to join coalition if Haredi draft law isn't passed unchanged

Following internal pushback, PM's spokesman and a leading minister from the ruling party deny issue will be a condition for joining government