Opposition MKs push bill to stop Netanyahu reelection

Opposition lawmakers have joined forces to try to pass a bill that would limit Israeli prime ministers to no more than two terms in office.

If signed into law, the legislation would set a de-facto term limit for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently serving his fourth term as head of state.

The bill was first proposed by Zionist Union MK Merav Michaeli in 2014, but was thwarted by the Likud leadership in the last Knesset.

The legislation, which seeks to “prevent the degeneration and detachment” of Israel’s leaders, was re-submitted March 30 to the Knesset for a preliminary vote.

Michaeli’s bill argues that a two-term limit produces a stable government and encourages serving prime ministers to maintain a strong coalition by eliminating the option of rushing to new elections.

“Democracy is not a monarchy, and it is vital to not create long years of rule by a single person,” the bill reads.

Zionist Union head Isaac Herzog, Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid, Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman and Joint (Arab) List chairman Ayman Odeh have joined forces in an effort to pass the bill into law, Channel 2 reported on Sunday.

The lawmakers also are seeking to have Netanyahu barred from the plenum vote, because the legislation would affect him personally.

Though the bill would limit a prime minister’s term, it would not impose a limit on a party’s ability to maintain power over multiple consecutive terms.

In a statement on Sunday, Likud party members accused the right-wing Liberman of capitulating to a left-wing agenda, and “attempting to topple” the ruling Netanyahu government.

In 2015, Netanyahu entered his third consecutive term in office. He previously served as prime minister between 1996 and 1999.