Bibi announces election

ISRAEL moved into election mode this week as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he would go to the polls as “soon as possible”.

At a press conference on Tuesday evening, the Likud leader cited the economy and security as key reasons behind his decision.

“My obligation as prime minister is to put the national interest above all else,” Netanyahu said. “And therefore, I decided that the good of Israel requires going to elections now, as soon as possible.

“A three-month election campaign would be preferable for Israel than a long campaign that would last an entire year and harm the economy. So, after four years, we will go to elections. I will seek a new mandate to continue to lead the people of Israel.”

Reflecting on his government’s own achievements, he said: “First of all, we bolstered our security at a time when dangerous turmoil is taking place around us.

“Secondly, we strengthened the economy while dealing with a different kind of turmoil – an ongoing global financial crisis that has caused economies in Europe to collapse.”

Although Netanyahu did not give a specific date for the election, the earliest possible date by law would be January 15 next year.

Prior to his announcement, Netanyahu briefed President Shimon Peres, top politicians in his Likud Party, and the heads of the coalition and opposition factions.

Centre-left politicians began efforts to try to unite the bloc immediately after Netanyahu’s announcement. Sources close to former prime minister Ehud Olmert said he was under tremendous pressure to make a political comeback.

“[Olmert] knows he only has a few days to make a decision,” a source said. “People are pushing him, but he has told everyone, including the people close to him, that he has not decided yet.”

Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, who has repeatedly denied any intention of running with Olmert, said he would reveal his party’s list of Knesset candidates within the next 10 days. He declined to say whether the list would include former Kadima leader Tzipi Livni, who was mum about her political future on Tuesday night.

Efforts intensified on Tuesday to enable current and former Shas leaders Eli Yishai and Aryeh Deri to run together.

Spokesmen for both men declined to comment on reports that Deri had offered to give Yishai the party’s top portfolio if he would agree to let him head the list. Yishai said Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef would decide.

Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin called for the Knesset to be dissolved as soon as possible after its winter session opens on October 15, and said he will not allow “populist, irresponsible legislation” to be passed until then.

AJN STAFF WITH THE JERUSALEM POST