The Knesset passed a bill to dissolve itself in a preliminary vote on Tuesday
By Bernard Moerdler,
The Knesset passed a bill to dissolve itself in a preliminary vote on Tuesday, the first step toward triggering early elections. The bill must pass three more votes before becoming law. Early elections would need to be scheduled at least 90 days after final approval, putting the earliest possible date in mid-August. Israeli media reports indicate the coalition is weighing early or late September, or early October, as potential dates. The Knesset's four-year term was set to end on October 27 in any case, meaning the vote would be brought forward by one to two months.
The push to dissolve the Knesset came after the coalition failed to pass a new IDF conscription law that both Haredi leaders and other coalition members could accept. The current bill has the backing of Haredi leadership, but a number of coalition members have stated they will not support it, citing concerns that its loopholes would effectively allow the government to continue the blanket conscription exemption for Haredi men.
Topics: IDF, Israeli Politics
Reported by Bernard Moerdler for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.