Peres Gives Netanyahu Two Extra Weeks to Form Israel Coalition

Israeli President Shimon Peres granted Benjamin Netanyahu two additional weeks to form a coalition government as the prime minister urged heads of all parties to show responsibility and join together in unity.

“We face huge challenges -- security challenges as well as the challenge of managing a responsible peace process -- and these challenges demand a joining of forces, not a division,” Netanyahu said in remarks broadcast from the president’s residence in Jerusalem.