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Summary PM says stability must be restored to Israel's government, and calls for speedy, early elections.
The Israeli cabinet agreed Monday that early elections for the 19th Knesset will take place on September 4.After the ministers approval, the bill is due to be voted on in the Knesset.The Knesset committee approved the government’s request to bring dissolution of the current Knesset to a vote. Kadima MK’s, wishing to advance their alternative for the “Tal Law,” voted against the resquest to dissolve. During the course of the discussion, a debate arose between Knesset members from different factions, over the intention of passing an alternative to the “Tal Law” before dissolution.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested to the cabinet on Monday that early Israeli elections be held on September 4.Netanyahu said that he intends on forming a government that will bring about stability and successfully lead the state of Israel.Netanyahu said that the weakening of the coalition harms Israels security, economy, and society, and for this reason the right thing to do is to launch speedy elections.On Sunday, Netanyahu delivered the keynote speech at the Likud conference and called for quick elections that would restore stability to the government.Meanwhile, Labor chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich said on Saturday she would consider joining a Likud-led coalition only if she would be able to shape the governments agenda. Speaking to Channel 2 Television, she said that only if Likud gets a relatively small number of seats and the possibility of creating a new agenda is at hand, we will consider such a partnership. Other parties will rush to join a Netanyahu government at any cost.Yachimovich added that if she becomes prime minister she will immediately launch peace talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and nurture Israels relations with Egypt and Turkey.Kadima officials accused Yachimovich of coordinating her strategy with Netanyahu. Yachimovich and Netanyahu are waging an orchestrated assault on Kadima, aides to party leader Shaul Mofaz said yesterday, adding that Kadima would no longer put up with it. Yachimovich lacks the most basic experience in every field. At the end of the day, this is how it goes: vote Yachimovich, get Bibi.In response to Yachimovichs remarks, a Likud official said that Netanyahu will turn to Mofaz and centrist candidate Yair Lapid before seeking partnership with Labor, because of her economic policies that are not in line with Netanyahus.
