The Israeli government has modified the requirements for non-Israeli bidders chasing its controlling stake in Bezeq Israeli Telecom so that Apax Partners can re-enter the bidding process.

At the last minute the Israeli government, advised by Merrill Lynch, dropped a requirement that non-Israeli bidders for its 50.01% in Bezeq should have signed up an Israeli partner by February 13, the first closing date for submission of preliminary applications.