Israel begins manoeuvring for new government

Israel began on Sunday the complicated task of forming a new governing coalition that could displace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after more than a decade in office. 

Benny Gantz, whose Blue and White party emerged as the largest in last week's election, is hoping to become prime minister, and his party will be the first consulted by President Reuven Rivlin about forming a coalition as no party has enough seats in parliament to form a government by itself. 

Gantz has said he wants to form a unity government based on a "liberal coalition" that is expected to exclude Netanyahu's Likud party. 

Rivlin however said a "stable" government would require a unity government of both parties. 

Former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman, who in April refused to join a Netanyahu-led government, said on Sunday he will endorse neither Netanyahu nor Gantz for prime minister.

A delegation from Lieberman's secular nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party was due to meet Rivlin later on Sunday.

Yisrael Beitenu won eight seats in the 120-seat parliament in Tuesday's election.

Lieberman has insisted on a unity government between his party, Netanyahu's right-wing Likud and Gantz's centrist Blue and White.

He opposes Netanyahu's coalition with ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, accusing them of seeking to impose religious law on the secular population.

The hawkish Lieberman also said he could not back Gantz for now because he may reach a deal with either the ultra-Orthodox or Israel's Arab parties, which he called "enemies."

The Joint List, formed mostly of MPs  who are Palestinian citizens of Israel, has decided to back Gantz. 

The Times of Israel reported that Netanyahu is considering not recommending anyone for the role of prime minister, putting the onus on Gantz, whom Netanyahu expects to fail.