Crises threaten to sink Israeli government

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By Stan Goodenough
June 10, 2008

The government of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert could be pushed off its increasingly shaky pedestal sooner rather than later, as the opposition calls for the dissolution of the Knesset and the Israeli public registers an all time high in its mistrust of Israel's politicians.

According to poll results published in the Israeli press Tuesday, fully 90 percent of citizens believe corruption taints the country, and 51 percent believe you have to be corrupt to become a successful politician here.

Meanwhile the center-right Likud Party of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that it plans, within the week, to submit a bill for the dissolution of the Knesset (Israel's parliament).

Ynetnews quoted Likud MK Silvan Shalom as informing the faction that "on June 18 we will bring forth a motion calling for the dissolution of the Knesset in order to hurry the coming election in the most dignified way possible…

"The decision has been made," Shalom said. "Olmert's government has reached the end of the road. All it cares about now is political survival."

Olmert should take his leave "in an appropriate manner.

"We shouldn’t have to see a government, a prime minister, resign disgracefully," Shalom added.

On June 6 the Labor Party of former Prime Minister Ehud Barak announced that it will support a bill calling for the Knesset's disbanding.

Labor is a senior partner in the coalition government.

Analysts say that even with the successful passing of a bill, it could still take months before the dissolution actually takes place.

November 2008 is currently seen as the earliest likely month for elections for a new Israeli government.

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