Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., October 28, 2008 Tishrei 29, 5769 | | Israel Time: 08:53 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Peres Center Travel Week's End Anglo File
Comments:  78
Last update - 03:19 28/10/2008
VIDEO / Knesset could be dissolved by next week
By Mazal Mualem, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Shas, Israel News, elections

The winter session of of the Knesset could be dissolved as early as next week, now that President Shimon Peres has announced that the government is headed for early elections.

A decision on whether to cut short the winter session - which opened on Monday - is expected to be made on Tuesday, in talks between Knesset Speaker Dahlia Itzik and the Knesset faction heads.

During the meeting, Itzik and the faction heads will also determine what can be covered in the remaining week and a half of the session.
Advertisement
Peres formally set into motion procedures for a national ballot on Monday, when he said during the opening of the winter session of Knesset that consultations with political parties had yielded no results and there was no chance of reaching a deal now to form a new coalition government.

Following Peres' announcement, Knesset has up to three weeks to dissolve itself and set an election date, widely expected to be scheduled for February 10. It is likely that the parliament will choose to disband as early Wednesday, November 5.

"This is the time for Israel's Knesset and political system to do some deep soul-searching," he urged lawmakers. "It is never too late to fix mistakes."

"In the coming days, Israel will be entering into a decisive electoral period. This is the first and immediate test set before you - the choice of the people," Peres said.

As the polticial system enters these elections, said the president, lawmakers must remain focus on Israel's strength in the face of its enemies. "Israel must stand strong and if sentenced to fight, must be able to be victorious over every enemy that comes our way," he said.

Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu declared Monday, at the opening of the Knesset's winter session, that Israel must not negotiate over the division of Jerusalem or the absorption of Palestinian refugees.

Netanyahu, who in the last two years has been the clear front-runner in polls which asked prospective voters their choice for prime minister, spoke just after President Shimon Peres announced that Israel was headed for early election.

Netanyahu told Knesset that if he becomes prime minister, he will seek peace with the surrounding Arab countries, but said Israel must not give up Golan Heights, large parts of the West Bank or any of Jerusalem.

Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in his remarks to the Knesset, just after Peres' announcement, that he appreciated Livni's efforts to form a coalition and regretted the political circumstances that had made it impossible.

He added that he intended to remain committed as premier until the elections and to carry it out "with the same responsibility, care and professionalism with which I have acted until now."

Shas chief brands Livni allies 'racist, phony, condescending'

In an unprecedented attack on Kadima leader Tzipi Livni's team in coalition talks, Eli Yishai, chairman of the ultra-Orthodox Sephardi Shas party, Monday branded the members of the team "phony, racist and condescending."

Yishai was speaking to his party faction ahead of the Monday afternoon opening of the Knesset's winter session, likely to be cut short by the early elections.

The Shas leader's remarks came in response to Kadima official's characterization of the ultra-Orthodox party's demands as "extortion."

"It's interesting that they didn't call the Labor Party, which received NIS 1.5 billion under the coalition agreement,m extortionists," Yishai told the Shas MKs.

"We are speaking here of racism and condescension."

Yishai went on to voice thanks to Kadima, saying that its actions would only expand Shas' Knesset strength in the coming election.

"If he who helps ailing children is called an extortionist, then I am an extortionist," Yishai said, adding that the Kadima attacks would "boomerang on the attackers."

Related article:
  • Polls show Livni edging past Netanyahu for PM, Labor headed for debacle
  • Livni aims for elections as soon as possible, seeks Knesset dissolution
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Livni ahead in polls
    Netanyahu loses lead he has held for two years, while Labor heads for election debacle.
    The frozen chosen
    In staunchly Republican Alaska, a Jewish Democrat may take state's lone seat in Congress.
      1.   SHAS IS CONGLOMERATE OF THIEFS 16:54  |  Alka Seltzer 27/10/08
      2.   What do these statements remind you of - Iran? 17:01  |  Zeev 27/10/08
      3.   Shas is "The Jew" of Israel 17:15  |  Ruben Misrahi 27/10/08
      4.   Comments on Peres and Shas 17:19  |  Tod Zuckerman 27/10/08
      5.   #2 zeev dismisses 10% of the voters as thieves 17:19  |  victor hardman 27/10/08
      6.   I AM NOT AGAINST SPHARADIM, NO! 17:22  |  Alka Seltzer 27/10/08
      7.   Bibi wE ALL need you Watch both Indy and Durson get bothered 17:25  |  Big Sur 27/10/08
      8.   He said the same about Hebron 17:27  |  Chana 27/10/08
      9.   Racists vs Delusionists 17:30  |  Yaakov Sullivan 27/10/08
      10.   the mafia that lead the country for 60 years is the 1 thieves 17:32  |  dovdevan 27/10/08
      11.   Never say never 17:35  |  Natallie Durson 27/10/08
      12.   Albin Countergambit 17:41  |  Mark Lincoln 27/10/08
      13.   It`s becoming painfully clear that... 17:43  |  Israeli 27/10/08
      14.   and shall always be capital of palestine 17:44  |  tea man 27/10/08
      15.   Benyamin Nethanyahu cannot promise 17:48  |  Chris Linthwaite 27/10/08
      16.   Interesting perspective 17:50  |  Axel 27/10/08
      17.   Big talk from the tough guy 17:53  |  Joe Sittizen 27/10/08
      18.   Be gone left wing nuts, attacking your own citizens to make room. 17:55  |  Jordan 27/10/08
      19.   Our enemies have become emboldened with Kadima... 17:56  |  Sam 27/10/08
      20.   Bibi, the "hardcore" Israeli version of Austrias Jörg Haider..... 18:02  |  Swiss (Dino) 27/10/08
      21.   $ha$ comments 18:02  |  Arie 27/10/08
      22.   Livni is ambiguous on her willingness to divide Jerusalem . 18:07  |  Sarah 27/10/08
      23.   Shas 18:08  |  JJ Gross 27/10/08
      24.   Seltzer Scmelzer,,,, 18:12  |  Ofer Maimon 27/10/08
      25.   Netanyah the irresponsible..... 18:17  |  Esther 27/10/08
      26.   Zev 2 18:18  |  Pamela 27/10/08
      27.   Jerusalem & Golan Can Never Be Up for Negotiations 18:20  |  Livin In Rishon 27/10/08
      28.   Netanyahu 18:21  |  Pamela 27/10/08
      29.   Bibi is too leftist for my tastes 18:25  |  Gee 27/10/08
      30.   Netanyahu is right about Jerusalem 18:26  |  Realist 27/10/08
      31.   with that demand, there will be `no partner` 18:30  |  Shelley 27/10/08
      32.   The good Yishai... 18:30  |  Esther 27/10/08
      33.   RE:Never say never # 11 18:36  |  Eugene 27/10/08
      34.   To #25 - Esther 18:41  |  Col [Res] Cohen 27/10/08
      35.   Sarah Florida 18:44  |  Pamela 27/10/08
      36.   #9 MR Sullivan, Yaakov not a delusion 18:47  |  Big Sur 27/10/08
      37.   #20: If Bibi is IL`s Haider, then who is Austria`s Hamas/Fatah? 18:50  |  Joel Stein 27/10/08
      38.   #34 Colonel Cohen, May I add on to your statement? 18:52  |  Big Sur 27/10/08
      39.   Netanyahu appears to offer only the past 18:53  |  x 27/10/08
      40.   10 dovdevan - All of you who besmirch Shas listen to dovdean 18:55  |  S Judah 27/10/08
      41.   Who gets more money? 18:55  |  Ruben Misrahi 27/10/08
      42.   To #35 - Pamela 18:57  |  Col [Res] Cohen 27/10/08
      43.   #20 Swiss Dino You have confirmed it for me 19:03  |  Big Sur 27/10/08
      44.   Mark Lincoln #12 Forget Albin. Better think of Tartakover: 19:05  |  S 27/10/08
      45.   to S Judah reference Ashkenazi and Serephade 19:10  |  Robert/Montreal 27/10/08
      46.   # 37 Joel Stein, of course Austria has an "enemy"...... 19:10  |  Swiss (Dino) 27/10/08
      47.   contempt for Sepharcim 19:13  |  Jer 27/10/08
      48.   Jerusalem is not up for negotiation - UNTIL ELECTION. 19:24  |  S 27/10/08
      49.   Jerusalem problem 19:38  |  Dani 27/10/08
      50.   Now We Will See Who puts their Seats Ahead Of Country 19:38  |  Livin In Rishon 27/10/08
      51.   # 43 Big Sur, okay, I concede...... 19:46  |  Swiss (Dino) 27/10/08
      52.   DIVIDED COUNTRY 19:51  |  HAL 27/10/08
      53.   Olmerts remarks" to carry out with the same responsibility,care 19:54  |  ROBOCOP 27/10/08
      54.   45 Robert/Montreal - thats the way it should be, 19:59  |  S Judah 27/10/08
      55.   #35 Pamela 20:00  |  Boycott 27/10/08
      56.   So why would anyone negotiate with Israel? 20:15  |  Rory B 27/10/08
      57.   Netanyahu: An Israeli leader with backbone. Lets hope he wins 20:22  |  Ken Jurist 27/10/08
      58.   #11 Nutallie - wrong again 20:23  |  Gregor 27/10/08
      59.   #35 Pamela 20:27  |  antoine 27/10/08
      60.   In Response to Shas is "The Jew" of Israel 20:41  |  shimrit 27/10/08
      61.   To Yaacov Sullivan # 9 - Arrogance Personified 20:42  |  Dagma 27/10/08
      62.   To Boycott # 55 - True that l Million Jews were THROWN OUT 21:03  |  Dolly 27/10/08
      63.   Dagan for PM 21:03  |  reza SHAH 27/10/08
      64.   the secular ashkenaze sionism have failed 21:08  |  dovdevan 27/10/08
      65.   Outlaw religious and arab parties! 21:09  |  nadav 27/10/08
      66.   After years of being led by the korrupt or kriminally insane... 21:27  |  bat yam 27/10/08
      67.   Dagma #61 again with her head in the sands 21:57  |  Yaakov Sullivan 27/10/08
      68.   dissolving the knesset 22:16  |  david 27/10/08
      69.   NO SURRENDER. NO APPEASEMENT, NO DISENGAGEMENT 22:23  |  Dagma 27/10/08
      70.   As Knesset folds, it is worthwile to remember Olmert`s legacy... 23:07  |  bat yam 27/10/08
      71.   Jerusalem is not up for Sale....... 23:11  |  Dagma 27/10/08
      72.   sullivan gave back the land to the indian owner 23:11  |  dovdevan 27/10/08
      73.   #62 Dolly 23:17  |  Boycott 27/10/08
      74.   Peres said: "It is never too late to fix mistakes." 23:21  |  Esther 27/10/08
      75.   ToYaacov Sullivan # 67 - What on earth... 23:35  |  Dagma 27/10/08
      76.   Rory B - Why not? 02:59  |  mark Lincoln 28/10/08
      77.   dissolving the Knesset 04:42  |  terry 28/10/08
      78.   Not all those linked to Livni are phony or racist... 08:24  |  Daniel Garcia 28/10/08
     Read & React
    Israeli sources say Sarkozy views Obama's position on Iran as 'immature'
    Responses: 21
    Moshe Arens: It's the IDF, not the security fence that stops terror
    Send response
    Yoel Marcus: Tzipi Livni deserves to win
    Responses: 1
    Haaretz Editorial: Defeat settler terror
    Responses: 125
    German economist compares criticism of bankers to 1930s anti-Semitism
    Responses: 52


    More Headlines
    06:50 Police: Indictment against Olmert could be filed within days
    06:52 Sarkozy wary of Obama's position on Iran, say Israeli sources
    06:56 Barak wants to ban violent extremists from West Bank
    06:59 Baby boom puts more preschool toddlers under threat of Qassams
    00:39 Israeli ambassador meets Palin, as Republicans rally for Virginia
    00:31 U.S. agents foil neo-Nazi plot to assassinate Obama
    12:02 PLAY THE NEWS / Can you beat OPEC at its own game?
    03:19 VIDEO / Knesset could be dissolved by next week
    22:53 VIDEO / Polls show Livni edging past Netanyahu for PM, Labor headed for debacle
    20:55 Israel Bank lowers interest rates amid looming fears of recession
    06:44 U.S. official: Syria strike killed top smuggler of fighters to Iraq
    23:28 PA negotiator praises Livni for not acceding to Shas coalition demands
    04:41 New Berlin memorial honors WWII Germans who helped Jews
    06:30 Don't judge a Porush by his beard
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Living in Israel Studying in English
    Click & Meet our students from all around the world
    Dial 013 for your long-distance calls
    and get all your money back
    US CITIZENS
    Vote for real change. Request your ballot today!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
    www. israel-property.com
    Hebrew Summer courses
    From $39.95
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved