In a statement, Netanyahu said he had worked ``tirelessly'' to establish a unity government with his chief rival, former military chief Benny Gantz, but been repeatedly rebuffed.

Felix Klein, the government’s anti-Semitism commissioner, was quoted Saturday as saying: “I cannot recommend to Jews that they wear the skullcap at all times everywhere in Germany.” He didn’t elaborate on what places and times might be risky.

Israel's parliament on Tuesday chose Reuven Rivlin, a veteran politician and supporter of the Jewish settlement movement, as the country's next president.