Israeli PM could face more than a decade in prison if convicted in three separate cases

Defiantly railing against attempts to “overthrow” him before donning a face mask to enter court, Benjamin Netanyahu sat for the first day of his high-profile corruption trial, which threatens to put Israel’s longest-serving leader behind bars and open deep divisions within the country.

Speaking in the corridors of the courthouse ahead of the hearing, Netanyahu decried police and prosecutors he accused of attempting to topple him. “When there is a strong rightwing leader like me, everything is permitted to bring him down,” he said, flanked by loyal ministers. “This is an attempt to overthrow us.”

Rivals will alternate as prime minister with government to be sworn in on 13 May

Israel’s supreme court has approved the coalition agreement between the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Benny Gantz, paving the way for a unity government to be sworn in next week.

The country’s top court considered eight separate petitions from opponents of the pact at a hearing this week.

But it ruled “there was no legal reason to prevent the formation of a government” led by Netanyahu.

As the decision was delivered, Netanyahu’s rightwing Likud party and the centrist Blue and White alliance led by Gantz said in a joint statement that the new government would be sworn in on 13 May.

Related: Netanyahu and Gantz agree to form unity Israeli government

Judges agree to livestream hearing to allow public scrutiny during coronavirus pandemic

Benjamin Netanyahu could be barred from forming a government after Israel’s high court began assessing petitions that seek to obstruct the prime minister because he is under criminal indictment.

Sunday’s hearing threatens to end the political career of the country’s longest-serving leader. It could also return Israel to political crisis just two weeks after it appeared the year-long stalemate had finally been resolved.

Thousands of people in Tel Aviv staged a protest against Benjamin Netanyahu while attempting to maintain physical distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic. Protesters in Rabin Square wore masks and tried to keep two metres apart while voicing their anger at the prime minister, who is under criminal indictment in three corruption cases, in which he denies any wrongdoing

• Israeli opposition leader passes deadline to form government
  
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Benny Gantz loses chance to lead coalition after talks with Benjamin Netanyahu stall

Israel’s opposition leader, Benny Gantz, has failed to form a coalition government after talks with Benjamin Netanyahu stalled, pushing the country further towards an unprecedented fourth round of elections.

Gantz had until midnight on Wednesday to build a majority government and now loses the mandate given to him by the president, Reuven Rivlin.

Extension granted after joint request from Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz

Israel’s president has accepted an 11th-hour request from the opposition leader, Benny Gantz, to extend his deadline to form a coalition government after seemingly-moribund talks with his rival, Benjamin Netanyahu, restarted.

Reuven Rivlin had said he would not extend the deadline, which expired at midnight on Monday, as it was not clear that Gantz and Netanyahu were close to signing a power-sharing agreement.

Rejection of request from Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz may plunge country into fourth election in just over a year

Israel’s president has turned down a request from Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz for a two-week extension to form a new coalition government.

The announcement by Reuven Rivlin means that Gantz and the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, have a midnight deadline on Monday to reach a power-sharing deal. If they fail, the country could be forced into a fourth consecutive election in just over a year.

Talks to join forces and end the deadlock have broken down at the last minute, with each side blaming the other

A proposed unity government deal involving Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and opposition leader, Benny Gantz, appears to be in jeopardy as initial progress stalls and a deadline this week looks set to be missed.

The pair – who have battled for more than a year in three inconclusive elections – had both expressed a desire to come to an understanding as the country faces the coronavirus pandemic. Talks to join forces and end the crippling political deadlock appeared to be in the final stages. One power-sharing deal would see them rotate the role of leader over a four-year term.