Israel's Knesset dissolves ahead of Oct. 27 election

The 25th Knesset voted 62‑to‑0 to dissolve itself, triggering national elections on 27 October 2026 – the first full‑term parliament since 1988. The vote came after a marathon legislative session in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right‑wing coalition passed a series of controversial laws: a media‑reform bill that gives the government greater control over broadcasters (approved 53‑48), restrictions on the Attorney General’s powers, a law freezing arrests of ultra‑Orthodox men who evade military service, and measures expanding state oversight of the press.

Legal adviser Gali Baharav‑Miara warned that the caretaker government must limit long‑term decisions during the election period. Polls show Netanyahu slipping in support while opposition figures such as former army chief Gadi Eisenkot gain ground. The dissolution and the rushed legislation set the stage for a tightly contested election that will determine Israel’s direction amid ongoing regional conflicts.