No Early Israeli Vote, Netanyahu Says
His government reeling from an influence-trading scandal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he will not call early elections.
“I have no intention of going to early elections,” he told Israel Radio. “My intention is to correct what needs to be mended and move forward.”
Netanyahu could still be forced to call early elections if the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party pulls out of the governing coalition over the scandal. Shas supporters say their leader, Aryeh Deri, was unfairly singled out for possible indictment while Netanyahu and his justice minister were cleared.
Netanyahu’s coalition has 66 seats in the 120-member parliament. Shas, with 10 legislators, could deprive him of his parliamentary majority if it quit the coalition. The next Israeli elections are not due until 2000.
Deri warned the government Sunday not to ignore the growing discontent of Sephardic Jews--those of North African or Middle Eastern descent--who are the majority of his constituency.
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