Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he speaks during a ceremony whereby Amir Yaron is sworn in as Bank of Israel governor, in Jerusalem December 24, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Cohen Israel will hold early elections in April instead of November 2019, according to coalition leaders.
The coalition leaders unanimously agreed to hold the early elections due to “national and budgetary responsibility.”
The cause of the election decision is reportedly due to a bill that would require Haredi Jews to serve in the military, as the Yesh Atid opposition party has alleged that the bill has been watered down to appease the Haredi factions.
The early election announcement also comes amidst indictments that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing in regards to three corruption cases. The attorney general has yet to make a decision on whether to proceed with the indictment. Netanyahu has vehemently denied the allegations against him.
In November, then-Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman resigned to protest Netanyahu’s handling of Hamas in Gaza. Netanyahu narrowly maintained his coalition after Education Minister Naftali Bennett announced he would continue to support Netanyahu.
The polls currently show Netanyahu in a strong position to win re-election.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.