Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein (Likud) said that he is making a last minute effort to prevent a third election.
In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, Edelstein said, "A week ago the government assembly mandate was passed back to the Knesset, battered, worn and accompanied by tremendous anger and public frustration. Time is passing and everyone seems to have given up and returned too quickly to slogans and election calculations."
"Israel is in the midst of a governmental emergency. This is indeed a true alarm. This is the moment of truth in Israeli politics. There will be no other moment. This is the moment to choose between leadership and cowardice. This is the moment of truth in Israeli politics. There is no other moment. Between leadership and cowardice, between connecting with the longing of the public - the entire public - and a tremendous crisis of confidence. This is the moment to say: enough is enough."
He said he had appealed to the party leaders and agreed to hold intensive talks to form a unity government.
"I contacted the two major party leaders today and asked them to instruct the two negotiating teams to meet again tonight in my office. I am pleased to announce that my appeal has been positively met by the two leaders and tonight, the attempt to restore sanity to Israel will begin, "Edelstein concluded.