Israel Parliament Votes to Dissolve Knesset, Opening Path to Snap Election

Lawmakers in Israel’s 120‑member Knesset gave an initial, almost unanimous approval to a bill that would dissolve the parliament, triggering a snap election that could be held weeks before the scheduled October 27 deadline. The move follows a deepening coalition crisis spurred by the ultra‑Orthodox draft bill, which seeks to end long‑standing military service exemptions for Haredi Jews. The draft bill has heightened tensions within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition, with Haredi factions threatening to support dissolution if their demands are not met.

Opinion polls cited in the coverage indicate that Netanyahu would likely lose the first national vote since the 2023 Hamas attacks if the early election proceeds. The bill now moves to a parliamentary committee to set a possible election date before returning for a final vote. The developments have increased market expectations for a possible Knesset dissolution and underscore the political instability facing Netanyahu’s government.

The vote marks a significant step toward early elections, reflecting both internal political pressures and broader public sentiment following the recent Gaza conflict.