Israeli lawmakers were trying to negotiate a last minute deal on Sunday to push back a looming budget deadline and avoid sending the country to its fourth parliamentary elections in less than two years. The current political crisis pitting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against rival-turned-partner Defense Minister Benny Gantz is ostensibly over the country’s national budget. Critics accuse Netanyahu of using the budget battle to force a new election in hopes of securing a friendlier parliament that could help solve his legal troubles.
Israeli lawmakers were trying to negotiate a last minute deal on Sunday to push back a looming budget deadline and avoid sending the country to its fourth parliamentary elections in less than two years. The current political crisis pitting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against rival-turned-partner Defense Minister Benny Gantz is ostensibly over the country’s national budget. Critics accuse Netanyahu of using the budget battle to force a new election in hopes of securing a friendlier parliament that could help solve his legal troubles.