By advancing its own dissolution bill, the "opposition" ensures that an alternative path to early elections remains on the table even if the coalition abandons its legislation.
'Israeli' lawmakers passed on 20 May a preliminary reading of an opposition bill to dissolve the Knesset, after a coalition-backed bill to do the same was approved.
The bill was put forward by former defense minister Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party. It passed 53-0.
“This is the beginning of the end. This failed government will go home sooner or later,” Gantz said in a statement.
Hours earlier, the Knesset unanimously passed the preliminary reading of the coalition’s bill to dissolve the Knesset.
The opposition bill says that elections must take place 90 days after it passes. The coalition bill fails to specify a date and states that it be set by the Knesset House Committee “on a day no less than three months from the legislation’s final approval,” according to the Times of Israel.
The opposition is hoping that by advancing its own bill to dissolve the Knesset, it can secure early elections even if the ruling coalition drops its legislation. This would pressure the government to make progress on the Haredi draft crisis threatening to collapse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, 'israeli' media reports explained.
Netanyahu’s coalition put forward its Knesset dissolution bill earlier this month. This came after ultra-Orthodox 'israeli' parties called for its dissolution and urged early elections, and as opposition parties put forward their own opposition bills.
The Times of Israel reported at the time that the ruling coalition submitted its own bill to dissolve the Knesset in order to “control both the legislative process and the timing of the vote.”
If a vote passes to dissolve the Knesset, elections must be held within five months of the vote. The ultra-Orthodox parties are reportedly pushing for elections to take place in September. Currently, elections are scheduled for 27 October.
Opposition groups are capitalizing on the crisis in an effort to bring down Netanyahu. Former prime ministers and opposition figures Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennet have agreed to merge their parties and work toward securing a victory in the upcoming elections.
Yet the crisis stems from Haredi draft exemptions.
'Israel' has been unable to reach a consensus on a law for drafting tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox 'israeli' Jews – known as the Haredim – into the army.
The Haredim, mainly those studying the Torah, have been largely exempt from military service for decades. In June 2024, the 'Israeli' High Court ordered that they be drafted, following significant tension on the matter.
Ultra-Orthodox parties, which make up a significant bulk of Netanyahu’s coalition government, have sought to make sure exemptions remain legal – yet the opposition accused the Haredim of not doing their part for the army, while others bear the burden.
The government has been unable to pass a law that would appease both the Haredi parties and the opposition.
Plans to dissolve the Knesset coincide with a major 'israeli' ground invasion and occupation in south Lebanon.
'Israeli' forces are taking heavy losses, and 'israel's' army chief has warned of a potential collapse in the reserve forces due to major troop shortages.