Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik wishes to postpone the general elections scheduled for February. She rejects allegations that she is acting in the interest of her Kadima party, insisting her motives are not tainted.

Contradicting herself, the speaker on Sunday told the daily Yisrael HaYom that she is not in favor of postponing the election. Nevertheless, she also rejected the legal opinion of the Knesset legal advisor, who explained such a move, pushing off the elections, would demand approval of a minimum of 80 of the 120 MKs. Itzik stated there is an equally valid opinion which states a simply majority of 61 is sufficient. (Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)