Netanyahu moves to tamp down new election momentum

“I call on all the members of the coalition to work together for the benefit of the State of Israel and its citizens,” prime minister says at opening of weekly cabinet meeting.

By HERB KEINON
Netanyahu at cabinet meeting (photo credit: EMIL SALMAN/POOL)
Netanyahu at cabinet meeting
(photo credit: EMIL SALMAN/POOL)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came out for the second day in a row strongly against new elections, telling his ministers at the opening of the weekly cabinet session that elections are the last thing Israel needs right now.
His comments came amid increasing indications that new elections may be in the offing.
Netanyahu, however, was publicly trying to tamp down any new-elections momentum. “The State of Israel needs a stable, strong and responsible government,” he said. “I call on all the members of the coalition to work together, to continue to work together, for the benefit of the state of Israel and its citizens.”
Netanyahu said as the Knesset's winter session begins next week, the government has a number of important issues to tackle, such as the ones the ministers will be discussing Wednesday: the war against unreported income, cutting bureaucratic hurdles, and promoting and developing clean energy.