Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday there was “no reason” for early election over spiraling coalition crisis.
Before taking off to his meeting with US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu was asked if Israel is heading for early elections due to political infighting over the conscription of Jewish ultra-Orthodox into the army.
“There is no reason for us to go to early elections, and with good will that will not happen,” he told journalists.
“I have good will and I can only hope our partners (in the government) have good will,” he said.
On Saturday night, senior coalition members warned that the government might be dissolved after talks to reach an agreement over the conscription had reached an impasse.
Netanyahu’s visit to the United States includes a meeting in the White House with Trump, where he plans to reiterate his objection to the nuclear deal with Iran.
“We will discuss Iranian aggression in our region in general and regarding the Iranian nuclear program in particular,” he said in a statement released on his behalf on Saturday.
The two are also expected to discuss the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a highly controversial move which Trump recently said will take place on Israel’s Independence Day on May 14.
“I will also discuss with the president (Trump) about advancing the peace process,” he said.
The travel comes amidst several criminal investigations over corruption in which Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, are suspected to be involved.
On Friday, police investigators questioned the two separately over their involvement in the so-called “case 4000.” In this case, the Netanyahus allegedly received positive coverage in the Walla news site in exchange for giving regulatory and financial benefits to Bezeq, a giant telecom company whose owner also holds Walla.
Israeli PM says “no reason” for early election in Israel
