The heads of the chareidi parties in Knesset appear to feel that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has made up his mind and early elections are on the agenda. Amid the yet-unresolved controversy regarding a new draft law, the prime minster they believe will decide a date most appropriate for him, and he will then announce he is dissolving the coalition and heading to elections.

Shas chairman Minister Aryeh Deri, Degel Hatorah chairman MK Moshe Gafne and Deputy Minister Yaakov Litzman of Agudas Yisrael all feel this is the case as it is unlikely there will be a meeting of the minds regarding a version of the draft law that will be perceived as acceptable by the Likud and other coalition partners.

Adding to this, Kikar Shabbos News quotes a “senior official in the chareidi parties” anonymously saying “There will not even be an attempt to reach understanding” regarding the draft law. He explains that if Mr. Netanyahu was serious about reaching agreement, “He would not have wasted all this time”, but rather he would have worked to find a common ground during the summer recess, but this did not occur.

Despite the Kikar Shabbos report, and statements from the chareidi MKs, Mr. Netanyahu on Sunday morning, 28 Tishrei, announced he has yet to decide regarding early elections. If the current coalition government completes its full term, elections will take place in November 2019.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)