Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once again downplayed the prospects of early elections on Monday, saying he was "not looking for excuses" to disperse the Knesset.
Netanyahu made the comments in an impromptu press conference at the Knesset cafeteria just after the Knesset reconvened from its summer recess.
Many analysts believe that lawmakers will choose to dissolve parliament rather than serve out the remained of the Knesset term, potentially moving the elections up from November 2019 to February of the same year, in part because of the ongoing disagreements between coalition partners over key issues.
On Sunday, the most explosive issue was all but resolved when the ultra-Orthodox parties said they would not torpedo the controversial conscription bill as long as it maintains the current arrangement that allows religious students to indefinitely defer their mandatory military service.
The coalition partners are also at odds over the language of a bill that tackles the hot-button issue of conversion to Judaism and the specific agencies that would regulate this matter.
When asked if he was worried legislative battles would prevent the government from serving out its term, Netanyahu responded, "I want to pass the conscription bill, which is a good bill and a great bill for the country, for the ultra-Orthodox community and the world of Torah, and it is good for the military and the job market."
Netanyahu said that United Torah Judaism, the Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox party in the coalition, "paved the way" for the conscription bill's passage when it said on Sunday that it only seeks minor tweaks.
The prime minister went on to say that if he really wanted early elections, he could call an election without having to provide a pretext. "Do you really think I would have a problem calling early elections? Let's solve this [conscription] matter, it should not trigger elections," Netanyahu said.
He also dismissed the notion that he might call early elections because of the ongoing corruption investigations against him. When asked if he was worried about being indicted, he said, "don't count on it."
Earlier Netanyahu spoke before the Knesset plenum, touting his accomplishments since returning to power in 2009. "Some 90% of Israelis say they are satisfied or very satisfied with their lives, but there are a few disgruntled people who have the gall to say – 'someone stole my country,'" Netanyahu said and turned to the opposition: "After hearing you criticize me in this chamber, I now fully appreciate just how big the disconnect is between you and the people."
According to Netanyahu, "Israel is a vibrant and healthy democracy; the courts and civil rights are not under threat; every democracy has an internal debate on the proper checks and balances between the various branches of government. You are not really concerned about democracy, you fear for your Leftocracy."
