Analysis: Election fever grips Israel as Netanyahu maneuver expected

Though Israel’s current ruling coalition is the most stable the country has had in decades, election fever has gripped the country as many believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be preparing for early elections. Netanyahu’s Likud and the largest opposition party Kadima both announced they would be holding primaries in the coming weeks, while left-win

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

g Labor party already elected its contender for the next elections and one of the country’s most popular public figure, former TV anchor Yair Lapid, announced he would also run.

Netanyahu’s approval rating jumped following the release of captive soldier Gilad Shalit and the Prime Minister may well try to capitalize on his gains. ”Netanyahu couldn’t hope for a better situation,” a Hebrew University political scientist said. But “every prime minister who makes early elections almost always loses,” Kadima’s Sheetrit said. “The political situation in Israel is so dynamic. Things can turn upside down between the time you call an election and the time you vote.”

Associated Press, United States

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