Benjamin Netanyahu hints at early election amid coalition crisis
Prime Minister tells meeting in Washington he wants his government to complete its term but he could call a vote sooner
Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned the country may face early elections due to a coalition crisis.
Speaking at the Economic Club in Washington, Mr Netanyahu said he wants his government to complete its term in November 2019.
He said: “If all parties in this coalition … agree that’s what we do, and if not then we will go to elections now.”
The country’s finance minister Moshe Kahlon has said his Kulanu party will leave the coalition if the budget does not pass in the next few weeks.
Coalition partners are feuding over whether to include military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews.
Mr Netanyahu also made light of the corruption investigations against him back home.
When asked what the pleasure of his job is, Mr Netanyahu jokingly replied: “investigations.”
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