MK Yariv Levin (Likud), head of the Knesset’s House Committee, said Tuesday that he welcomes the government’s decision to advance the elections. “The announcement regarding elections means the end of the forced partnership with Ehud Barak,” he said.

“Israel needs a government without Barak and Yechimovich,” he declared. “I believe that the public will give us the mandate to build such a government.”