Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu wants the Cabinet to agree to give him more power to streamline the decision-making process, and the possibility of a military attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities may the reason behind the request.
Labor party Shelly Yechimovich criticized his request for changes as anti-democratic and warned that granting the Prime Minister the powers he requests would lead the country to a “one-man government.”
Many of the changes would impose more order in setting the Cabinet agenda and in voting procedures for Cabinet ministers in absentia, while other proposals would give the Prime Minister more clout in trying to win Cabinet approval on issues.
If the changes are approved, he would be able to rearrange telephone votes within 12 hours and even shorten the time, if necessary. Presumably, this measure would allow him to win immediate agreement for a military attack on Iran.
One proposal would allow him to appeal decisions by ministerial committees. He also would be able to decide that Cabinet ministers cannot vote in absentia unless they have made arrangements for another to minister vote for them.
The Prime Minister also would be able to change the Cabinet agendas determined by the ministerial committee.