ISRAEL ELECTION NEWS: Sunday, January 6th

(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Labor party MKs are working to gather a sufficient number of signatures to oust party leader Avi Gabbai, who they feel erred when he unilaterally dissolved the agreement with The Movement party.

** MKs from Bayit Yehudi have turned to PM Netanyahu to oust both Naftali Bennet and Ayelet Shaked from their cabinet posts in response to their splitting t he party and right-wing camp.

** Chadashot News reports talks are underway between former Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon and former IDF Chief Benny Gantz to run together. However, in a strange deal, Gantz would be permitted to join a Netanyahu government to serve as defense minister while Ya’alon, who vowed to never join another Netanyahu-led government, would be able to break away and remain in opposition. Bottom line, for Ya’alon, whose Chosen L’Yisrael party according to polls does not enter Knesset, is simply looking for a ride into Knesset, hence linking to Gantz, who the polls predict will be the second largest party in Knesset. Once a MK, Ya’alon is then free to break away and do as he please.

** A Motzei Shabbos Meet the Press poll:
Was Avi Gabbai correct in cutting ties with The Movement party headed by Tzipi Livni?
39% correct
25% not correct
36% do not know

Pending the outcome of a pre-indictment hearing, should AG Mandelblit announce a criminal indictment against PM Netanyahu ahead of elections?
64% he must announce it
22% he should not announce it
14% do not know

Do you support former IDF Chief Gabbai Ashkenazi entering the political arena ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections?
47% support
19% do not support
34% do not know

In your opinion, who should head the New Right party formed by Naftali Bennet and Ayelet Shaked?
33% Bennet
27% Shaked
40% do not know

** A Maariv polls states that Likud will receive the same number of seats in elections regardless of AG Mandelblit deciding to indictment PM Netanyahu pending a pre-indictment hearing.

** ברוך שפטרני : MK Hanin Zoabi announced she is not running for reelection to the “hostile Knesset”. She added she is proud of her ten years of service in Knesset.