With 2 hours to go to the deadline, there's literally everything to play for. We now have 5 possible scenarios. 1. Somehow a deal is cobbled together which allows both Lieberman and the Haredim to back down and Netanyahu tells Rivlin by midnight he's got a government. V unlikely>
2. Netanyahu tries to bluff Rivlin and says he has a 60 member coalition which he'll somehow swear in over the next 7 days (getting 1 opposition MK to disappear from the vote) Highly unlikely as it'll be a transparent lie and either a coalition member or Rivlin call Bibi's bluff>
3. Netanyahu has no choice but to move the dissolution bill to its 2nd and 3rd readings before midnight, gets the requisite 61 votes and we're headed for an election in September>
4. Netanyahu has no choice but to move the dissolution bill to its 2nd and 3rd readings before midnight, but doesn't have the requisite 61 votes and the deadline passes. Bibi's hold on power is drastically shaken and another MK gets the chance to form a coalition>
5. Netanyahu dithers, doesn't get a coalition, doesn't try and bluff Rivlin, doesn't manage to pass the dissolution bill before midnight and the deadline passes. Another MK gets a chance to form a coalition and after all we've been through, who can rule out that MK succeeding?>
Scenarios 1 & 2 are almost impossible. Lieberman and the Haredim won't back down now and everyone knows Bibi hasn't got a majority and though he would try to bluff it if he could, this time he'll be called out. Scenario 3 still likely (dissolution bill to be voted on at 23.30)>
Scenario 4 becoming likelier by the minute, as Netanyahu flailing, making impossible promises to half the Knesset, pissing off the other half. Could be enough to turn majority against dissolution spelling end of his hold on the coalition. Which is why he's dithering (scenario 5).
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