❗️Israeli lawmakers advance Knesset dissolution bill as coalition crisis deepens – The Cradle

 ❗️Israeli lawmakers advance Knesset dissolution bill as coalition crisis deepens

The Knesset House Committee voted 8-0 to advance a coalition-backed bill to dissolve parliament, clearing the way for a first reading later today. The legislation already passed a preliminary vote on 20 May by 110 votes to 0, but must still pass three additional readings before taking effect.

No election date has been finalized due to disagreements within the coalition. Lawmakers are discussing dates between 8 September and 20 October, although coalition whip Ofir Katz said a different date could still be chosen later. Under current law, elections are scheduled for 27 October, and Israel’s Central Elections Committee has requested at least 83 days’ notice to prepare for a vote.

The push for early elections stems from a growing crisis between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ultra-Orthodox coalition partners over the controversial military conscription bill. The Haredi parties began backing dissolution after Netanyahu reportedly told them the draft-exemption legislation lacked sufficient support to pass, while leaders within the ultra-Orthodox camp have publicly stated they no longer trust him.

According to Israeli media, the ultra-Orthodox parties favor elections in September, believing it could boost turnout among their voters, while Netanyahu prefers a late October vote to give his coalition more time to pass legislation and pursue military objectives. The Israeli army has repeatedly warned of manpower shortages, making the conscription dispute one of the central issues driving the coalition toward possible collapse.

(Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel)

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