TEL AVIV—The speaker of Israel’s parliament, an ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, abruptly adjourned the body, blocking an opposition effort to place his aggressive response to the coronavirus under legislative oversight. Mr. Netanyahu, facing trial on bribery, fraud and breach of trust charges, has led a caretaker government through three inconclusive parliamentary elections since late 2018. The two sides have discussed such a power-sharing arrangement but failed to agree on who would serve first as prime minister. Blue and White is also trying to replace Mr. Edelstein as speaker, a move Mr. Edelstein has blocked. But Mr. Gantz has been unable to form a government out of the diverse collection of groups united mostly by their opposition to Mr. Netanyahu.

Source: Wall Street Journal March 18, 2020 21:05 UTC