'Knesset unlikely to see term's end'

Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin said Sunday that it was highly unlikely the current Knesset would see the end of its term.

"I believe that 2012 will be a year when a decision on the next elections is made," he told Knesset TV. "I don't think the (current) Knesset will see November 2013, because politics has a way of mandating crises, so that they can be reflected in the ballots."

Various political pressures can result in eyeing early elections, Rivlin said. "I don't think any political party wants to start an election campaign right now, because of internal issues mostly, but things can change.

"If the financial and social problems are compounded by political issues, it may lead to an internal split in the Coalition and we could very well be heading towards elections," he said.

When asked whether the growing social unrest will take a political toll on the Likud come election time, the Knesset speaker said that "while the weaker social echelons consider the Likud their home, they will not forgive it for unjustly hurting them."

The voters, he ventured, "Are willing to forgive (the government) hurting people who choose parasitism, but they will not forgive a government – especially the one they installed in power – for turning against them."

Rivlin added that, "The Likud is well aware of its job and of the fact that we cannot advocate settlements without advocating social issues... We are obligated to find answers."

Nevertheless, the Knesset speaker rejected criticism over the fact that he did not order the House to remain in session despite several motions to that effect by Opposition and Coalition members alike.

Rivlin said that in the event that an urgent vote becomes necessary, the House – which began its summer recess last week – can be called into session within 24 hours.

"The Knesset cannot be called in just because people have taken to the streets – that would mandate the Knesset to act out of character… I'm sure that if it is called for, the Knesset will convene immediately," he concluded.

The current Knesset was sworn in March 2009. According to the Israeli law, the House is sworn in for a period of four years, slating "regular" elections for November 2013.