On March 19, the Israeli Knesset held a preliminary vote approving a bill to dissolve parliament, with 110 out of 120 attending lawmakers voting in favor and none against. The bill will now be referred to the relevant committee before undergoing three further readings and votes. If ultimately passed, the process could take several weeks, leading to the dissolution of parliament and requiring a new election within 90 days. Currently, the next election is scheduled before the end of the session on October 27.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from far-right parties, particularly ultra-Orthodox Jewish factions. These parties accuse the prime minister of breaking his promise by failing to pass a law exempting young men in their community from mandatory military service. Taking advantage of the turmoil, several opposition parties announced earlier this month their intention to introduce their own bills to dissolve the Knesset.
Coalition chairman Ofir Katz said after the vote: 'This coalition has fulfilled its mission. It is the only opposition that made the coalition stronger. During this term, we passed nine budgets and 520 laws.' The bill will be sent to a committee to agree on an election date before returning to the Knesset for final approval.
The vote comes at a critical time for Prime Minister Netanyahu, the longest-serving leader of Israel and head of the most right-wing government in the country's history. Israel is currently engaged in conflicts on multiple fronts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, while many citizens blame Netanyahu for the security failures that led to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel responded with a genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza.
Yair Golan, leader of the left-wing Democrats party, wrote on X: 'This is the October 7 election, the election where the Israeli public will send home the negligent government that brought us the greatest disaster in the state’s history.'
Beyond political pressure, Prime Minister Netanyahu also faces a long-running corruption trial. Meanwhile, Israeli President Isaac Herzog is mediating a plea deal that could see the 76-year-old leader retire from politics entirely as part of an agreement.
