Netanyahu Coalition Moves To Dissolve Knesset, Opening Door to Early Elections

Israel’s parliament is preparing to dissolve itself, paving the way for possible early elections. Prime Benjamin Minister Netanyahu’s coalition submitted a bill to dissolve the Knesset on Wednesday evening after the ultra-orthodox Degel HaTorah faction threatened to bring down the government over a stalled military draft exemption law.The bill to dissolve parliament was submitted by [Likud] coalition whip Ofir Katz and came after opposition parties submitted their own bills on Tuesday. The current election day is set for October 27, but the Knesset will now discuss a possible new date while the bill to dissolve parliament wends its way through hearings. Ultra-orthodox factions in Mr. Netanyahu’s coalition are reportedly seeking elections in early or mid September. Opposition leaders welcomed the government’s push to dissolve the Knesset. “This is the beginning of the end for the worst government in Israel’s history, and the sooner the better,” National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz wrote on X. “But the question is not only when the elections will be, but mainly what will be here after them. “After the upcoming elections, the State of Israel must establish a broad Zionist unity government that will lead Israel forward.” Opposition leader and head of the Yesh Atid party, Yair Lapid, posted on X: “Revolution 2026: The idea is to unite the center with the liberal right. To build the largest party in Israel, around principles of patriotism, Zionism, nationalism, liberal values based on the Declaration of Independence.” The opposition leader announced last month that he is uniting with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to run on a joint ticket in the upcoming elections. Mr. Netanyahu’s bloc stands to lose several seats in the elections, falling short of a majority of the votes, according to all polls conducted since 7 October 2023. According to a poll by Israel’s public broadcaster, KAN, Mr. Netanyahu’s Likud party stands to get 25 seats, while Mr. Lapid and Mr. Bennett’s Together list would get 25. Opposition party Yashar, headed by former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot, stands to get 15 seats. The opposition would tally a total of 59 seats, two seats short of a majority. The Arab parties would get a combined 10 seats and therefore stand to become the tiebreaker.

Netanyahu Coalition Moves To Dissolve Knesset, Opening Door to Early Elections

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