Likud Chairman Binyamin Netanyahu has decided to hold the Likud party’s primaries early. Netanyahu's decision must be approved by a Likud secretariat meeting next week.

The move signals a gearing up for general elections and the downfall of the Olmert government.

Arutz-7 reported the story earlier today when Moshe Feiglin of the Manhigut Yehudit Jewish Leadership faction within the party broke the story on Israel National Radio's Yishai & Friends program. Feiglin will be challenging Netanyahu for the top slot and prime ministerial candidacy.