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Netanyahu: Now is not the time for elections

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Amid speculation to the contrary, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday dismissed suggestions that an election is imminent. However, on the eve of a new Knesset session, coalition tensions appear to be simmering.

It had been widely suggested in the media that Netanyahu himself wants early internal Likud Party primaries as soon as next month, in a move which would likely be interpreted as preparation for an election. However, Maariv reports that Likud Central Committee chairman and Netanyahu critic Danny Danon MK has postponed a meeting which could have facilitated such a move.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu himself dismissed the speculation yesterday, commenting at a reception to mark his 65th birthday, “The last thing the people of Israel need now is an election.” He added, “We want to continue with this government, with this Knesset, to continue leading the people of Israel along the correct path.”

However, during the past few days, Netanyahu has angered his Hatnuah coalition partner, led by Tzipi Livni, by rejecting proposed legislation which would reform the state-sanctioned Jewish conversion process. Hatnuah leaders have accused Netanyahu of acquiescing to the ultra-Orthodox parties who he believes may one day be useful political bedfellows. Although Livni has said that Hatnuah will push the bill with opposition support, another coalition partner Jewish Home has suggested it will leave the government if it becomes law.

According to Yediot Ahronot, the situation has led Hatnuah to form an informal alliance to further the peace process, alongside Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid party, which forms the largest single Knesset faction. Livni is quoted saying, “we will create one front in the government and in the Knesset on the peace process issue, one bloc, 25 seats.  Together in favour of a peace arrangement.” However, Lapid quelled suggestion of a coalition crisis, telling Walla that, “The government is not about to fall. The coalition is strong.”

Nonetheless, Maariv reports that Netanyahu will meet the heads of coalition factions today to demand coalition loyalty and discipline.