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In the grip of far-right madness, will Israel go to the polls?
As Netanyahu's coalition collapses, what will it mean for the Palestinians, asks JOHN HAYLETT
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu announces he has appointed himself defence minister following the resignation of Avigdor Lieberman

ISRAEL’S next general election isn’t due until November 2019, but an early poll is virtually certain given the outbreak of now traditional mutually antagonistic willy-waving engaged in by would-be prime ministers in Benjamin Netanyahu’s rancid right-wing coalition.

No election is complete without party leaders accusing each other of supposed “weakness” in dealings with the Palestinians and stressing their own uniquely tough qualities for the task.

Yisrael Beitenu (Israel is our Home) leader Avigdor Lieberman led the charge, resigning as Netanyahu’s defence minister in the wake of the ceasefire in Gaza facilitated by Egypt.

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