With the resignation of Kadima on Tuesday, the coalition now numbers 66 MKs. With a crisis looming over the drafting of chareidim issue, most senior politicians realize that election fever is once again in the air, a move that was averted when Kadima entered the coalition 70 days ago.

With the resignation of Kadima the coalition lost 28 members, which left the coalition with an extremely solid majority in the 120-seat Knesset. This is no longer the case. The Knesset is scheduled to close for summer recess next week, leaving politicians with the feeling that immediately upon their return in October; measures will be taken to advance elections to the beginning of 2013.

For the time being, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu hopes to reach the Wednesday, 6 Av 5772 deadline to close the current Knesset session and break for summer recess without any major developments.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)