Knesset asked to dismiss premier

JERUSALEM, Dec. 17 (JTA) — A group of opposition Knesset members submitted a petition this week, demanding the dismissal of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The move, spearheaded by Labor Knesset member Rafi Elul, was based on a new law that allows the Knesset, by a special majority of 80 members, to remove the prime minister from office. The proposal will be submitted to the Knesset’s house committee, which must decide within 30 days whether to refer it to the plenum. The 40 petitioners said Netanyahu had proven that he was unfit to manage foreign policy, security and economic affairs. Coalition members dismissed the petition as a gimmick by the opposition, stymied in its efforts to bring down the government through no-confidence motions.