Israeli Opposition Moves to Dissolve Knesset Amid Coalition Tensions
Opposition Parties Push Preliminary Vote on Bill to Trigger Early Elections, Fueled by Religious Draft Law Disputes.
Watan-Israeli opposition parties decided on Wednesday to submit a bill for the preliminary reading to dissolve the Knesset (parliament), after earlier hesitations over concerns that it might not secure the necessary majority.
The Knesset is set to vote on the bill today. If passed, it could initiate a path toward early elections—pending three legislative readings.
Channel 12 reported that opposition leaders unanimously agreed to put forward the bill, stating that the decision is “binding for all opposition parties.”
Opposition Seeks to Exploit Coalition Divisions Over Ultra-Orthodox Draft Exemption
This move comes after prior reluctance, as a failed preliminary reading would legally block re-submission of the bill for six months under Israeli law.
The opposition aims to capitalize on rifts within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, particularly over the controversial military draft exemption for ultra-Orthodox Jews, which religious parties (Haredim) insist on pushing through.
Some support for the dissolution comes from the “United Torah Judaism” party (7 seats), which announced its intent to vote for the bill. However, “Shas” (11 seats) remains undecided, while Netanyahu is making intense efforts to hold his coalition together and block the bill.
The religious Haredi parties continue to demand legislation exempting yeshiva students from military service.
The ruling coalition currently controls 68 seats, with 61 needed to maintain power.
Draft Dispute and Coalition Tensions Drive Push for Early Israeli Elections
The current Israeli government, formed in late 2022, is set to serve until the end of 2026 unless early elections are triggered.
The move toward dissolving the Knesset is also tied to Netanyahu’s failure to fulfill pre-government formation promises to the Haredim to pass a conscription law exempting religious students from military service.
The Haredim—comprising about 13% of Israel’s 10 million population—continue protesting against compulsory military service after the High Court ruling on June 25, 2024, which mandated their enlistment and banned financial aid to religious schools whose students refuse to serve.
The Haredim reject military service, asserting that their lives are dedicated to Torah study and that integration into secular society threatens their religious identity and communal continuity.
