Netanyahu needs Liberman, whose party holds five seats in the 120-seat parliament, known as the Knesset, to form a majority after coming out ahead in Israel’s April 9 elections. So instead, his Likud party has forwarded a bill to dissolve the Knesset, paving the way for new elections if Netanyahu can’t form a government by Wednesday. “Hoping things will work out with Israel’s coalition formation and Bibi and I can continue to make the alliance between America and Israel stronger than ever,” Trump tweeted Monday, using Netanyahu’s nickname. Liberman has appeared resolute, describing it as a “principled stand,” and said he would support fresh elections. Speaking to the Knesset, Netanyahu stressed the urgency of forming a coalition.

Source: Washington Post May 28, 2019 12:51 UTC