Israel to hold new election as Netanyahu fails to form coalition

Israel to hold new election as Netanyahu fails to form coalition

The move prevents the scenario of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin selecting another person to try to form a government, but also sends the country into what is likely to be another divisive campaign before a fresh vote that is expected to take place in September. "We will run a sharp, clear election campaign which will bring us victory. We will win, we will win and the public will win," Netanyahu told reporters after the dramatic vote. Opposition leader Benny Gantz said that instead of following procedure, Netanyahu opted for "three crazy months" of a new campaign and millions of wasted dollars over new election because he is "legally incapacitated" by looming indictments. "There is no other reason," Gantz said.