Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz has offered his opinion, at the request of Election Committee Chairperson Justice Dalia Dorner, regarding the preferred date of the next national elections. Mazuz feels that Nov. 2006, and not a year later, is the proper time to hold elections.
The issue arose when it was discovered that the situation in which Israel currently finds itself "fell between the cracks" and was not specifically covered in the latest revision of the elections law. The last national elections were held in January 2003 after Prime Minister Sharon dispersed the Knesset. The law, however, does not make clear whether this scenario is similar to the Knesset dispersing itself, in which case elections are held in the month of Cheshvan (roughly November) following the end of four years since the previous election, or whether it should follow the scenario specified in another clause of the law calling for elections in Cheshvan in the fourth year after the previous election.
Mazuz says that there is "internal logic" to both options, although for reasons of "regime stability" and "apparent intention of the law," he prefers that which would mandate earlier elections. However, the decision is up to Justice Dorner - who said that she would decide within 48 hours, but noted that in any event the Supreme Court would probably be asked to review her decision.
The entire question is likely to be academic, say many political analysts, in light of the political difficulties and coalition instability facing Prime Minister Sharon. Similar circumstances have led to early elections several times in the past.
The issue arose when it was discovered that the situation in which Israel currently finds itself "fell between the cracks" and was not specifically covered in the latest revision of the elections law. The last national elections were held in January 2003 after Prime Minister Sharon dispersed the Knesset. The law, however, does not make clear whether this scenario is similar to the Knesset dispersing itself, in which case elections are held in the month of Cheshvan (roughly November) following the end of four years since the previous election, or whether it should follow the scenario specified in another clause of the law calling for elections in Cheshvan in the fourth year after the previous election.
Mazuz says that there is "internal logic" to both options, although for reasons of "regime stability" and "apparent intention of the law," he prefers that which would mandate earlier elections. However, the decision is up to Justice Dorner - who said that she would decide within 48 hours, but noted that in any event the Supreme Court would probably be asked to review her decision.
The entire question is likely to be academic, say many political analysts, in light of the political difficulties and coalition instability facing Prime Minister Sharon. Similar circumstances have led to early elections several times in the past.