In view of the stalemate in the coalition negotiations, the Israeli parliament has today taken a first step towards early elections. In the first of three required readings, 65 out of 114 Knesset MPs voted in favor of a bill envisaging the dissolution of parliament.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party have failed to form a governing coalition over the past seven weeks after the general election. A deadline expires on Wednesday. Netanyahu should speak in parliament this evening.
Conversations fail to Lieberman
Netanyahu’s ruling coalition of right-wing and religious parties has failed so far due to opposition from former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman and his party Israel Beitenu (Our House of Israel). The point at issue here is the question of whether even orthodox Jews will be obliged to serve in the military in the future.
A bill by Lieberman provides for that. The strictly religious parties do not want to support this. Netanyahu relies on both the five seats of Israel Beitenu and the 16 seats of the Orthodox.
