Israel's Netanyahu to give statement amid signs of early election

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a televised statement on Sunday after making a last-ditch effort to avoid the collapse of a coalition government weakened by the resignation of his defense minister. Netanyahu, head of the right-wing Likud party, has met over the past few days with coalition partners who have been calling for an early election. Political pundits predict a snap vote could come as early as March, instead of November as scheduled. Netanyahu's office said he would make a statement to reporters at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT), giving no details. (Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)