Israeli general election may be brought forward

ELECTION FEVER has gripped Israel with speculation that the general election, not scheduled until October next year, will be brought forward, possibly to as early as July.

Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu initiated consultations with coalition partners to determine if there was broad agreement on bringing the election forward and, if so, what the desirable date would be.

Associates said Mr Netanyahu would prefer the government to continue but, if it became clear that elections were inevitable, he would prefer a contest as early as possible.

Shaul Mofaz, the head of the opposition, who was elected leader of the centrist Kadima in March, suggested an October election, after the Jewish holiday period.

A poll published yesterday in the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper showed that Mr Netanyahu’s ruling Likud party would emerge as easily the largest party, increasing its current 27 seats to 30 in the 120-seat Knesset.

According to the poll, right-wing parties would control 61 parliamentary seats compared with 66 at present, which would probably force Mr Netanyahu to seek the support of centrist factions.

Labor, boosted by last summer’s social protests that swept Israel, would gain significantly from eight to 18 seats, becoming the second-largest party.

Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman’s ultra-nationalist party, Yisrael Beiteinu, Mr Netanyahu’s biggest coalition partner, would capture 13 seats, down from its current 15, the poll showed.

All Israeli governments have been coalitions and it is rare for an Israeli government to last a full term.

However, in contrast to previous coalitions, the Netanyahu government is relatively stable with a comfortable Knesset majority, and the Israeli economy remains relatively robust.

Despite the Israeli leadership’s almost obsessional desire to prevent Iran obtaining a nuclear bomb, it was contentious domestic issues that prompted the clamour for early elections.

Top of the list is the question of drafting the ultra-Orthodox to serve in the army. Earlier this year Israel’s high court ruled that the current system, whereby the ultra-Orthodox are exempt from compulsory military service, is illegal, and the government must pass new legislation by August.

Mr Netanyahu has promised fairer legislation to ensure all sections of Israeli society share the burden.

One proposal is that the ultra-Orthodox and Israel’s Arab minority would be required to perform community service, instead of the three-year military draft.

However, the ultra-Orthodox parties in Mr Netanyahu’s coalition remain bitterly opposed to ending the exemptions.

Other domestic issues threatening the stability of the government include court orders to dismantle West Bank settler outposts and difficulties formulating the budget.

The election contacts were put on hold yesterday following the death of Mr Netanyahu’s father, Benzion Netanyahu (102), in his Jerusalem home.