Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suffered a stunning defeat after he failing to meet a midnight deadline to form a new government, casting a cloud over his future as leader and thrusting Israel into the chaos of a new election.

Lieberman, whose five seats made him a kingmaker, said he supported Netanyahu but had refused to compromise with religious parties on a law that would end the wholesale exemption of ultra-Orthodox men from conscription.

Netanyahu said that position was a ruse.

“Lieberman never intended to reach an agreement,” Netanyahu said. “He clearly wanted to shoot down this government, and he is doing so because he reckons he will receive a few more votes.”

“He won’t succeed,” Netanyahu added, before hurling the ultimate insult: “Avigdor Lieberman is now part of the left.”

via Israel to hold fresh elections after ‘religious law’ stalemate defeats Netanyahu