Opposition to table legislation Wednesday to dissolve Knesset, Netanyahu says he will vote against it, does not want elections, but won’t pass budget.
By: Paul Shindman
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz launched political outmaneuvers Monday as the country edged closer to possible elections.
Speaking at a Likud Party caucus meeting at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, Netanyahu rejected opposition plans to introduce legislation on Wednesday to dissolve the house.
“On Wednesday, the opposition will try to drag Israel to unnecessary elections. The Likud will vote against elections and for unity, so that we can bring vaccines to all citizens of Israel,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu also talked about the national economy and his ongoing efforts to expand the peace treaties achieved in the past months to include other Arab countries – topics that would also rank high on a potential Likud election campaign.
“The people of Israel need a government that works not for elections, not for politics, but for them, for all the people of Israel without exception,” Netanyahu said in the ongoing exchange of threats leading up to what is expected to be a raucous debate when opposition leader Yair Lapid tables legislation on Wednesday to dissolve parliament.
Earlier Monday, Gantz instructed his Blue and White party to prepare three new pieces of legislation without consulting Netanyahu’s Likud Party, both of which belong to a national unity coalition currently headed by Netanyahu.
Gantz appears to be forcing Netanyahu’s hand to agree to pass the national budget for 2021, a move the prime minister is avoiding, as it could help stabilize the government enough to avoid elections and, according to his opponents, would allow Gantz to take over as prime minister next November according to the terms of their coalition agreement.
“This budget is a matter of principle, and I am tired of the game that Netanyahu is forcing on me and the whole country,” Gantz said in a Maariv report, adding that if there was no significant change in Netanyahu’s conduct, the country will go to the polls.
(World Israel News)
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