Israeli President Rivlin suggests unity government

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin prefers a national government to be formed by the right-wing Likud Party and the centrist Zionist Union alliance, sources close to the President told Israeli media Wednesday.

The sources told Channel 10 that Rivlin preferred this option, even as he would not impose it on any of the two rival political blocs.

"The President's suggestion is based on the close results each of the two camps achieved in the Knesset election," one of the sources said.

Meanwhile, the Israeli news site Ynet quoted sources close to Rivlin as saying that "the president reads and understands that Netanyahu has the ability to form a coalition very quickly."

"The right choice in his eyes is a unity government that will be a strong government; however, if the sides are not interested in this he will not force it."