Virus brightens possibility of unity govt in Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Thursday for the "immediate" formation of a national unity government to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, a proposal main challenger Benny Gantz said he was willing to discuss. Netanyahu issued the call as he ordered the closure of schools. Final results of the March 2 elections showed the prime minister's right-wing Likud party and its allies falling short of the 61 seats required to form a government. Following Netanyahu's announcement, Gantz said "in light of the situation, we would be willing discuss the establishment of a broad, national emergency government." Gantz said such a government should include representatives from "all parties" represented in the parliament.