Fourth election looms for Israel as cabinet meeting cancelled

Israel faces the prospect of yet another election - the fourth since April 2019 - as coalition rivals clashed today over a Monday deadline to pass the country’s budget.

The alliance between Benjamin Netanyahu and rival Benny Gantz faces imminent collapse if the two cannot agree on the budget.

Lawmakers have until midnight tomorrow to pass the bill or approve a 100-day extension; otherwise parliament will automatically be dissolved and polls set for November.

No compromise had been reached by Sunday morning, and the government’s weekly cabinet meeting was cancelled - reportedly over the disagreement.