Politics and Knesset
With just three days to go until the Likud leadership primaries, Likud MK Gideon Sa’ar says that as president, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could continue to contribute his political skills to Israel.
“It would be better for the public to make this ruling,” says Blue and White MK Ofer Shelah after Israel’s High Court announces it will debate whether an indicted Knesset member may form a government.
Jewish Home officials call on party leader Rafi Peretz to cancel the agreement, claiming he acted without consulting them • Peretz: “These elections will decide the fate of the right-wing government and Religious Zionism. The call of the hour is unity.”
Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin praised her as an “Israeli freedom-fighter in every sense of the idea, who was an inspiration to all of us.”
Orly Ginsberg Ben-Ari “has served in the Prosecutor’s Office for 28 years and has extensive experience in law,” affirmed Justice Minister Amir Ohana.
Likud Knesset member criticizes the Israeli prime minister for expressing support for the two-state solution in 2009 and for making “endless concessions” to the Palestinians.
“The only way we change is with a massive surge of *new* voters at the polls. UK, Vote!” tweeted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
By law, the transitional government is unable to pass simple budgetary measures or take any major diplomatic initiatives, leaving the country in a state of administrative limbo.
As its last act before disbanding at midnight on Dec. 11, Israel’s Knesset votes 94-0 to hold new elections and grants extra funds to the competing parties.
Israel’s indicted premier announces that he will vacate the health, welfare, agriculture and Diaspora affairs portfolios, and appoint new ministers following an NGO petition to the Supreme Court.
If a coalition deal is not inked by midnight, then Israel will head to new elections on March 2, 2020.
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the Israeli Tourism Ministry will provide free shuttle service between Jerusalem and Bethlehem for Christian pilgrims.
