Yedioth Ahronoth reports that Netanyahu is considering dissolving the Knesset.
The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported today (Wednesday) that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his close advisers to prepare for the scenario of an early dissolution of the Knesset (parliament) and holding elections next June (June 1405), in which case the elections would be held four months ahead of schedule.
The newspaper, citing informed sources, wrote that in addition to forming a team to lead the Likud party’s election campaign, Netanyahu has called for the start of preparations for internal party elections to determine the list of candidates. This is while he continues to emphasize in public positions the completion of the 37th cabinet term and holding elections on time.
Political sources say that Netanyahu has expressed confidence in private meetings that the law exempting Haredim (Orthodox Jews) from compulsory military service will be passed; but at the same time, he has acknowledged that failure to pass this law or the government budget could lead to the collapse of the coalition and the dissolution of the Knesset in the shortest possible time. For this reason, he has instructed his inner circle to be prepared for such a possibility.
The newspaper reported that among politicians, cabinet ministers are repeating Netanyahu’s reassuring messages, but their actions indicate signs of preparation for the upcoming election campaign. “Betselel Smotrich”, the hard-line Finance Minister, has pushed economic reforms, and “Itamar Ben-Giver”, the Minister of Internal Security, has put the execution plan for “Palestinian prisoners” at the top of his agenda and has promoted it with an aggressive campaign.
They are trying to increase their popularity among voters to gain more votes.
These developments are taking place at a time when differences with the Haredi parties over the draft law and dissatisfaction within the Likud party with the exemptions plan have strained the political atmosphere in the Zionist regime and have further strengthened the possibility of early elections.