Israel's president on Sunday summoned both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and main challenger Benny Gantz for an "urgent conversation" on forming a government, following calls for a unity alliance to tackle coronavirus. The call by President Reuven Rivlin came after Gantz secured recommendations from a majority of lawmakers to try to form a government, according to an AFP tally. Rivlin may tap Gantz to try to form a coalition, which proved impossible following inconclusive September elections, or could urge the two leaders to seek a short-term compromise to tackle the pandemic. bur/bs/scw/fz