Overview
- The Knesset voted to dissolve on Friday, July 17, and formally set the next national election for October 27.
- In marathon final sittings the governing coalition approved judicial-overhaul measures and laws favoring ultra-Orthodox parties, including bills that effectively pause enlistment of many Haredi men.
- A Channel 13 poll released this week projects the Jewish opposition could win 61 seats without Arab-party support and gives specific totals such as Likud 22 and Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar 21, though the survey did not publish margins of error.
- Likud is showing cracks: MK Dan Illouz said he will leave the party and not run in primaries, citing objections to the party’s post-Oct. 7 conduct and recent Torah-study and draft-related laws he voted against.
- Reporting that senior Netanyahu allies discussed limiting incoming flights and removing polling stations from assisted-living homes has raised voter-access concerns that could affect overseas and elderly turnout as the campaign begins after years of war-driven political realignment.