BICOM

With the coalition seemingly on the verge of collapse, Israel’s opposition leaders hailed the prospect of an election and urged for a poll as soon as possible.

Weeks of speculation over the government’s stability boiled over last night after what was billed as a crisis meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Yair Lapid ended in accusations by each that the other is dragging the country unnecessarily to the polls.

Opposition leader and Labour head Isaac Herzog welcomed the possibility of an election, saying via social media “The people do not trust this government … We must hold elections as soon as possible and replace the leadership. The Labour Party will lead the winning bloc and renew hope among Israeli citizens.” Addressing Netanyahu, Herzog added, “Just this one time, instead of threatening – do something. You and your government have lost the trust of the nation.”

Meanwhile, Meretz leader Zahava Galon said that elections are needed as both Netanyahu and Lapid have failed on all levels since taking power.

Another advocate for elections is Shas leader Aryeh Deri, who said overnight that all political parties should come together and agree “on the closest date possible” for a vote. Shas and the Knesset’s other ultra-Orthodox faction United Torah Judaism (UTJ) found themselves excluded from government following the January 2013 election. Deri reiterated that Shas would join a future government if agreement were reached to increase the minimum wage and scrap tax on basic household goods. Meanwhile, senior UTJ Knesset member Moshe Gafni said reports that his faction had come to an agreement to join a future government under Netanyahu’s leadership were “one big bluff,” adding “there are no guarantees and no promises.”

Opposition parties including Labour and Meretz yesterday submitted a bill to dissolve the Knesset which if passed would precipitate an election. However, it remains unclear whether a vote will be brought to the plenum. In the meantime, media reports this morning suggest an election could be held as early as March 2015.