In the wake of the controversy regarding the ‘Jewish State’ bill, Channel Two reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjmin Netanyahu is seeking the support of ultra-Orthodox factions in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, before potentially calling an election.
According to a report in The Jerusalem Post Netanyahu has already secured the support of around 70 of 120 MKs to dissolve the Knesset. The report suggests that such a motion could be submitted as early as next week with elections potentially taking place in March.
Daily Israel Hayom also said that Netanyahu aides are ready for a potential election campaign.
Netanyahu has pledged to pass a version of the legislation, which seeks to enshrine Israel as a Jewish State. But critics, including the Yesh Atid and Hatnuah coalition factions in the government say it could also denigrate the country’s minority communities. The issue has exacerbated serious tensions within the coalition with reports suggesting it could spell the end of the current government.
At a memorial for Israel’s first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, former Israeli President Shimon Peres weighed in on the debate. He said, “The nation state bill is an attempt to undermine the Declaration of Independence for political interests. The bill will damage the country both at home and abroad.” He added, “Ben-Gurion’s legacy demands us to make sure Israel remains the state it was founded to be – a model state, enlightened, seeking peace, justice and equality.”
Peres’ successor President Reuven Rivlin reiterated his concerns over the bill, telling the event “political considerations of different groups in Israeli society” are “mixing into the national political judgment.”
Netanyahu responded, also speaking at the memorial, saying that “as the Prime Minister of Israel, the Jewish people’s one and only state” he sees “many are challenging the Jewish character of the State of Israel, and therefore we need to anchor that character in the Nation State bill.”In the wake of the controversy regarding the ‘Jewish State’ bill, Channel Two reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjmin Netanyahu is seeking the support of ultra-Orthodox factions in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, before potentially calling an election.
According to a report in The Jerusalem Post Netanyahu has already secured the support of around 70 of 120 MKs to dissolve the Knesset. The report suggests that such a motion could be submitted as early as next week with elections potentially taking place in March.
Daily Israel Hayom also said that Netanyahu aides are ready for a potential election campaign.
Netanyahu has pledged to pass a version of the legislation, which seeks to enshrine Israel as a Jewish State. But critics, including the Yesh Atid and Hatnuah coalition factions in the government say it could also denigrate the country’s minority communities. The issue has exacerbated serious tensions within the coalition with reports suggesting it could spell the end of the current government.
At a memorial for Israel’s first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, former Israeli President Shimon Peres weighed in on the debate. He said, “The nation state bill is an attempt to undermine the Declaration of Independence for political interests. The bill will damage the country both at home and abroad.” He added, “Ben-Gurion’s legacy demands us to make sure Israel remains the state it was founded to be – a model state, enlightened, seeking peace, justice and equality.”
Peres’ successor President Reuven Rivlin reiterated his concerns over the bill, telling the event “political considerations of different groups in Israeli society” are “mixing into the national political judgment.”
Netanyahu responded, also speaking at the memorial, saying that “as the Prime Minister of Israel, the Jewish people’s one and only state” he sees “many are challenging the Jewish character of the State of Israel, and therefore we need to anchor that character in the Nation State bill.”