Kadima MK Tzachi Hanegbi is calling to set a date for early elections and to form an emergency government in the interim. Hanegbi chairs the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee.

Hanegbi stated that when the prime minister returns from Washington, a date for elections must be decided upon. He told Israel Channel 2 that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is tied up in his legal battle and is not capable of running the country at present. He feels it is imperative to agree on a date for national elections, to form an emergency government to oversee negotiations and deal with immediate security concerns, and setting a date for Kadima party primary elections. The party’s leadership elections would precede the formation of an emergency government.

Hanegbi wished Olmert well, expressing his hope that he emerges innocent but stressed there are national interests and concerns, including Iran, Hamas, Syria and Lebanon and the nation cannot put the prime minister’s personal agenda ahead of its interests.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)