Israeli lawmakers advance bill to dissolve parliament, trigger early elections

Israeli lawmakers voted Wednesday to advance a bill to dissolve parliament, setting the stage for early elections.

In a preliminary reading, 110 of 120 lawmakers voted in favor, with none opposed and the remaining 10 abstaining.

The bill now moves to committee before three additional readings. If approved, a process that could take weeks, it would trigger an election within 90 days. Elections are currently scheduled before the legislative session ends Oct. 27.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from ultra-Orthodox parties, while his fractious right-wing coalition appears on the verge of collapse.

Ultra-Orthodox parties accuse Netanyahu of failing to deliver a promised law exempting their young men from mandatory military service. Seizing an opportunity, several opposition parties earlier this month announced plans to introduce their own bills to dissolve the Knesset.

Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz said Wednesday: “This coalition has completed its days.” “This is the only opposition that caused the coalition to grow. In this term, we passed nine budgets and 520 laws,” he added.

The bill now goes to committee, where an election date will be set, before returning to the Knesset for final approval.

The vote comes at a pivotal time for Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, who leads the most right-wing government in the country’s history. Israel is engaged in multiple-front wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, while many Israelis blame Netanyahu for the security lapses that enabled the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel. Israel responded with a military campaign in Gaza that has drawn accusations of genocide.

“These are the October 7 elections, the elections in which the Israeli public will send home the government of negligence that brought upon us the greatest disaster in the state’s history,” Yair Golan, head of the left-wing party the Democrats, wrote on X.

Netanyahu also faces a long-running corruption trial, while President Isaac Herzog is mediating talks on a potential plea deal that could see the 76-year-old leader retire from politics.

The bill’s advancement signals a likely end to Netanyahu’s current coalition, with political analysts predicting a contentious campaign period ahead.