Overview
- The Knesset gave a near‑unanimous preliminary vote of 110‑0 on Wednesday, May 20, advancing a coalition‑backed bill to dissolve parliament to the House Committee for drafting and scheduling of further readings.
- Under procedure the bill must clear committee work and two more plenary readings, with the third reading requiring at least 61 votes to formally dissolve the Knesset and set an election date that would have to fall within the statutory window commonly cited as up to 90 days.
- The immediate trigger was ultra‑Orthodox parties withdrawing support after Mr. Netanyahu failed to pass legislation formalizing exemptions from mandatory military service, a dispute shaped by a June 2024 High Court ruling that such de facto exemptions lack a legal basis.
- Polls are mixed: some show Netanyahu’s bloc gaining ground while others find the opposition still short of a majority without cooperation from Arab parties, leaving the next government outcome uncertain even if elections are held earlier.
- The move raises immediate political stakes for Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces a long‑running corruption trial and mediated plea‑deal talks, and it could reshape policy and daily life for reservists and communities affected by conscription if a new campaign changes coalition math.