January 28, 2003, the date for the Israeli elections

The Israeli Knesset yesterday set January 28 as a date for holding the general elections which was called upon by the Israeli prime minister last week following the collapse of the governmental elections in Israel.

The general elections which will be held 9 months before its original date, will be preceded by party elections to elect a leader for the opposition Labor party on January 19 and a leader for the rightist Likud party on January 28.

Sharon is facing a challenge over the leadership of the Likud from the former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu who was appointed by Sharon as a foreign minister in his provisional government.

A spokesman for the Israeli parliament said that the committee of the constitution, the law and justice was the one which took the decision of making the elections on January 28.

The Israeli spokesman added that this date will be changed in case of emergency, in remarks to fears of the possibility of Israel's is exposed to an Iraqi missile attack if the US will launch a war against Iraq before the Israeli elections.