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Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, center, has handed current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the task of forming a new governing coalition after Israel's Sept. 17 election failed to produce a parliamentary majority.

The incumbent prime minister needs a half-dozen seats for a parliamentary majority. Finding them will be a struggle and will require deep compromises.

Netanyahu Faces Big Obstacles Forming a New Israeli Government

The incumbent prime minister needs a half-dozen seats for a parliamentary majority. Finding them will be a struggle, and will require deep compromises.

Highlights

Israel

Politics

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has decided that sitting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should have the first crack at forming a new government after the Sept. 17 election left another split field. Israel's Basic Law, its form of a constitution, allows flexibility in how governments are formed, though a few rules keep the process predictable. However, the politics of that process are volatile, and for Israel to avoid a third election, Israel's politicians must make deep compromises.

GUIDANCE

Netanyahu Faces Big Obstacles Forming a New Israeli Government

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