MK Tzachi Hanegbi (Kadima), long considered a loyal political ally of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, said Saturday that a date for holding national elections needs to be decided upon . Speaking on "Meet the Press" on Channel 2 television, Hanegbi said that the elections need to be followed by the creation of a national unity government.
"The government has no moral mandate for action and cannot act on the practical level either," Hanegbi said, making a reference to "hurried pre-election negotiations and spins." He said there were four main problems on the government's agenda that required action: the negotiations with the "Palestinians," the negotiations with Syria, the need to vanquish Hamas and the need to prevent Iran from succeeding in manufacturing nuclear weapons. Only a large government that enjoys wide backing could take care of these problems, he said, some of which are existential ones for Israel.
'Olmert's career is over'
Minister Chaim Ramon, also an Olmert confidante and a close friend as well, said Saturday night that he believed Olmert's public career was over. Speaking before the Washington Institute for Middle East Studies, Ramon estimated that elections would be held by November.
It was Hanegbi's interview, however, that made the main headlines in most of Israel's news venues on Saturday afternoon. Hanegbi went on to say: "We all wish for Olmert's success but the political system cannot be brought to a standstill. Elections must be set on a date that must fit in with our common interests." He said that he was planning a political move that would include internal primaries in Kadima, early elections to the Knesset and following that, a national emergency government for the next four years.
"We cannot stand idly by and Kadima needs to make a decision," Hanegbi explained, adding that he had consulted on the matter with Olmert and other senior Kadima members. "Olmert is fighting for his life in the courts and it is difficult for him to make an effort elsewhere. An alternative is to go into a standstill and that is not something Olmert would want. There are more important things than personal interests."
'Uncomradely and inhumane'
He said there was a possibility that an alternative government would be formed if Olmert resi
Minister Chaim Ramon said Saturday night that he believed Olmert's public career was over. 
gns following the filing of an indictment against him. However, he called on the public to show patience and restraint, and defended Olmert against what he said was a media mudslinging campaign and a "public guillotine" before the investigation against him was completed.
He also accused Labor Party chairman Ehud Barak of an "uncomradely and inhumane act," in trying to convince Kadima to depose Olmert. "Barak himself knew tough times like those Olmert is undergoing. The last thing Barak would want is to see [Foreign Minister Tzipi] Livni become stronger," Hanegbi explained. "Barak took a gamble and eventually we shall see if his gamble was a successful one," he said.
Likud chief Binyamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, instructed the party's general manager, Gadi Arieli, to prepare a plan for elections. He asked that the plan be presented to him when he returns from the AIPAC convention in the USA, where he will be speaking.