Israel’s government collapses, triggering yet another election

NINE MONTHS ago Binyamin Netanyahu declared that after three elections in the span of a year, all ending in stalemate, he and his rival, Benny Gantz, would share power. Each would serve 18 months as prime minister, with Mr Netanyahu going first. “I will leave office on the agreed date,” he promised. ”There will be no tricks, no shticks.” Even at the time, many Israelis did not believe him.Now it seems clear that Mr Netanyahu had no intention of handing over power. Regardless, he is no longer bound by the agreement with Mr Gantz. At midnight on December 22nd, having failed to pass a budget, the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) was automatically dissolved, triggering a poll on March 23rd. It will be Israel’s fourth election in two years.