TEL AVIV, 17 March 2020, TON: Israel's ex-military chief Benny Gantz, who won recommendations  by 61 lawmakers, a razor thin majority in the 120-member parliament,  was nominated to form a government but further talks were expected with his rival, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on alliance to fight coronavirus.

Gantz, who heads the centrist Blue and White party, called for unity and urged Netanyahu to join him as Israel seeks to end a crippling political stalemate after three inconclusive elections in less than a year.

Gantz formally nominated by President Reuven Rivlin to attempt to form an administration.

"I will do everything to form in as few days as possible a national, patriotic and broad government."

 Rivlin later addressed the new Knesset, with lawmakers having their temperatures taken before being brought into the chamber in twos and threes, to reduce risk of virus transmission.

In remarks to a chamber empty but for Netanyahu and Gantz, he implored all lawmakers to end the impasse.

The vote saw Likud secure the most seats but, along with its religious party allies, it fell three seats short of a majority. Gantz made calls to Netanyahu's religious allies on Monday, but was rebuffed for now. The head of the religious, nationalist Yemina party, Defence Minister Naftali Bennett, urged Gantz to let Netanyahu lead a short-term emergency government.

Netanyahu denies wrongdoing. The trial had been due to open on Tuesday, but Jerusalem's District Court postponed it to May 24, blaming the virus outbreak. The prime minister's rivals cried foul, accusing him of using the public health crisis to push back his long-anticipated day in court.