Netanyahu and Herzog
Netanyahu and HerzogNati Shohat/Flash90

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Isaac Herzog (Zionist Union) met for several hours Sunday night in an effort to lay out the basis for a unity government, bringing the leftwing Zionist Union party into the coalition.

Despite the lengthy meeting, however, no breakthrough has yet been achieved.

According to a report by Channel 2, the two sides still differ on a number of crucial issues, including Netanyahu’s proposed gas deal, the NGO transparency bill, the “V15 law” limiting overseas contributions to political organizations, and the “expulsion law” which would permit the Knesset to oust MKs over support for terror. Netanyahu has promised coalition backing for the each of these proposals, while Herzog is adamantly opposed to them.

On Monday, Finance Minister Moshe Kachlon endorsed the establishment of a unity government, saying that “there is no better time for a broad-based government.”

"A unity government means stability; stability is crucial to banking reforms, reducing the cost of living, and the success of housing reform."