Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Knesset Monday evening, shortly after MKs voted 65-43 in favor of a preliminary reading of a bill to dissolve the 21st Knesset and hold an early general election.
Netanyahu said that the impasse with Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman over the haredi conscription issue was "cosmetic."
"This is a semantic debate – you don't hold an early election over a cosmetic issue," Netanyahu said.
The prime minister said that Israel had "endless" things to accomplish, including addressing security and defense challenges, economic challenges, pension reform, and strengthening the settlement enterprise.
"I am telling you, from the depth of my heart, from the depth of my understanding, that there is no reason to drag the country into a needless election that will cost an astronomical sum," Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu pointed to his close ties to U.S. President Donald Trump and said that the U.S. leader was in favor of Israel resolving the current coalition crisis and establishing a government that would continue to "strengthen the alliance between Israel and the United States, and make it stronger than ever."
Netanyahu said that 48 hours remained before the deadline to form a governing coalition.
"We can do a lot in 48 hours. We can establish a strong, right-wing government," he said.
"I expect the good of the country to overcome any other interest. There is still time. We can still come to our senses," the prime minister concluded.
The bill to dissolve the 21st Knesset and hold an early general election at the end of August passed in a preliminary reading Monday evening.
Lieberman's Yisrael Beytenu faction voted in favor of the bill.
To be enacted, the bill will have to pass all the requisite readings by this Wednesday – the extended deadline given to Netanyahu by President Reuven Rivlin to form a governing coalition.
