Israel's ruling coalition has submitted a bill to dissolve parliament, paving the way for early elections as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from ultra-Orthodox parties over military service exemptions. The proposal, initiated by Netanyahu's Likud party, comes amid fears that his fractious government could collapse.
If approved, the bill would trigger elections within 90 days. The draft legislation was signed by leaders of all six coalition parties and could be voted on as early as 20 May, with passage widely seen as a foregone conclusion. Elections could then be held from late August, two months before the scheduled end of the legislative term.
Ultra-Orthodox parties accuse Netanyahu of failing to deliver on a promise to permanently exempt yeshiva students from compulsory military service. Opposition leader Yair Lapid, who has formed an electoral alliance with former premier Naftali Bennett, swiftly responded, saying, 'We are ready Together.'
A recent poll by public broadcaster Kan shows Likud leading with 26 seats, ahead of Lapid-Bennett's Beyahad with 25, but neither bloc appears able to form a government. Netanyahu, 76, who recently underwent prostate surgery, has confirmed he will run again despite ongoing corruption trials.
Many Israelis blame Netanyahu for the security failures that enabled the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack. Lapid and Bennett plan to campaign on establishing a national inquiry into the attack and legislating compulsory military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews.
