Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his main opponent, Benny Gantz, have taken “a significant step” towards forming a unity government, Israel’s president has said.
Reuven Rivlin was speaking after hosting a meeting for the two rivals.
No details of the talks have been made public. But a joint statement said chief negotiators for the two main parties would meet on Tuesday.
Mr Rivlin has said he will do everything he can to avoid a third general election this year.
Speaking after two hours of talks at his offices in Jerusalem, he said: “We have taken a significant step forward tonight.”
Last week’s general election – the second this year – ended in deadlock.
In a bid to broker a solution, President Rivlin has recommended the new government includes both Mr Gantz’s Blue and White Alliance, which won 33 seats, and Mr Netanyahu’s Likud party, which won 31.
In their joint statement, Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gantz said negotiators from their parties would meet on Tuesday and the two leaders would then meet President Rivlin again on Wednesday.
