Reuven Rivlin

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Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and Benny Gantz (R) are not, was able to reach a power-sharing deal

Israel to hold an unprecedented third General Election in less than a year after the policy change failed, the majority of the coalition in the Parliament.

members of the Knesset agreed to set the Election date for the 2. March hours after midnight (22:00 GMT) deadline passed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival, Benny Gantz , were not able to secure majorities in September following inconclusive Election .

The two leaders could not agree on a power-sharing agreement.

Netanyahu's legal problems were a big obstacle for the negotiations. He was arraigned on corruption charges in the last month.

In the end, Mr. Gantz demanded that he promise not to seek parliamentary immunity from prosecution as a precondition for further talks.

In September, Mr Gantz is centrist Blue and White Alliance won 33 seats in the 120 Knesset member, while Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party received 32 seats.

With any party to create a coalition that could command a 61 seat majority, President Reuven Rivlin . invited them to form a government of national unity

But the negotiations broke down, the would serve as Prime Minister first; Netanyahu urging that the ultra-allied Orthodox parties, in order to be admitted to him; and to serve the Lord Gantz refusal, under a Minister President of the criminal process.

Israel 's attorney-General, with Mr Netanyahu with Bribery , fraud and breach of trust in connection with three cases. He is allegedly gifts accepted by wealthy business people and dispensed favors to try and get more positive coverage in the press.

The Prime Minister has denied any wrongdoing and described the charges as "attempted coup", blaming them on a "tainted" process.

Mr Netanyahu has not yet announced whether he will grant you will have to ask the house to him immunity from prosecution. But most analysts believe he hopes to improve his chances of obtaining immunity with a third choice.

The Knesset is to solve the vote on a draft law to themselves and they plan a choice for the 2. March

Before Wednesday's deadline for every member of the Knesset for a majority coalition to form, the Prime Minister released a video accusing Blue-and-White "the creation of a flood of political spin".

"do you want to hide the fact that you have done everything possible to avoid the creation of a broad national unity government to Annex the Jordan Valley , apply Israeli sovereignty to the settlements in Judea and Samaria," he said, referring to the occupied West Bank .

"they forced new elections are upon us. It is not necessary and to avoid that it happens again, it's one thing to do and that is to win and win and that is what we will do. "

In response, White and Blue suggested on Twitter that Mr Netanyahu "is a lie for The Campaign ".

Yair Lapid , Mr Gantz's Deputy, earlier, you said a debate in the Knesset: "What used to be a festival of democracy has to be a moment of shame for this building. "

"There are only three reasons for this choice - Bribery , fraud and breach of trust. "

It is not clear whether a further choice breaks the deadlock. An opinion poll published that proposed by Israel 's Channel 13 News on Tuesday that Blue and White would win seats 37 seats and Likud 33.

Mr Netanyahu also faced with a challenge within the Likud, said on Wednesday that it was likely, a leadership primary on may 26. December.

Former Interior Minister Gideon Saar, who wants to be a candidate, tweeted: "There is a national need for a breakthrough that will end the ongoing political crisis, allow the formation of a strong government, and the unity of the people of Israel . "

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Source of news: bbc.com