BICOM

The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, yesterday opened its winter session and then dissolved itself ahead of national elections to be held on 22 January.

Knesset speaker Reuven Rivlin opened the parliament’s one-day winter session, setting the tone by saying “the truth is that we have gathered here to disband. In the next few hours, the session that has just opened will end.” Hours later, members of parliament unanimously voted in favour of second and third readings of a dissolution bill, which confirmed that the country will go to polls on 22 January. Before the Knesset voted, the legislature held a celebratory opening meeting of the winter session, as mandated by law. Leaders from various political factions took the opportunity to set out themes for the upcoming campaign.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu listed his government’s achievements, including encouraging economic growth, building the southern border fence and establishing a cyber-defence force. He then told the plenum, “Those who belittle the Iranian nuclear threat on Israel are not worthy of leading Israel for even one day,” a theme which is likely to be repeated during the campaign.

Leader of the Opposition and Kadima chairman Shaul Mofaz attacked the record of Netanyahu’s government, asking “are we a better country? More just? More sensitive to our citizens? More united? Stronger? The answer is clear to all, and there is not an election slogan that can hide the truth. No spin can cover the failures of the Netanyahu-led government, which he claimed has made Israel weaker, more isolated, more divided, more closed-off and more full of fear.”

Meanwhile, Likud’s Aleli Admasu became the second Ethiopian-Israeli sitting in the Knesset yesterday, although only for a day. He was sworn in following Yossi Peled’s resignation in September.