JERUSALEM (AP) — Even before Israel's hastily called election campaign kicks into gear, a former ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is shaping up to be the biggest potential challenge to his re-election.
Moshe Kahlon was the most popular Cabinet minister in Netanyahu's previous government, drawing wide appeal for his working-class background and for pushing daring reforms. But prior to the 2013 election he abruptly quit politics over differences with Netanyahu. Now he's back with a new centrist party that could tip the scales in favor of those seeking to topple the longtime Israeli leader.
Netanyahu's coalition disintegrated this week in dramatic fashion and lawmakers speedily voted to dissolve parliament Wednesday, setting the country on a crash course for national elections in March — two years ahead of schedule.
Kahlon responded swiftly, officially announcing the new party Wednesday in a speech to university students. "I am returning to the political arena," he said. "I used to be in a very strong political framework, but I decided to establish a new framework and this is for our children." He gave no details on his political platform.
He has historically taken hard-line positions toward the Palestinians, but more recently has expressed support for a territorial compromise that would establish a Palestinian state. However, his agenda has focused much more heavily on economic and cost-of-living issues.
After his unwieldy coalition of secular centrists and religious hardliners imploded, Netanyahu is looking to secure a fourth term as premier by increasing support for his hardline Likud Party. He hopes to secure a strong majority for a "national bloc" that includes his traditional allies of ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's nationalist Yisrael Beitenu faction and the hard line Jewish Home party, which is strongly linked to the West Bank settler movement. This bloc tends to take a hard line in peace talks with the Palestinians.
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