Bill to dissolve Knesset passes first reading, advancing process to move up elections

Israel's parliament, the Knesset, has taken a significant step toward early elections as a coalition bill to dissolve the body passed its first reading late Monday night. The resolution saw a unanimous 106 lawmakers vote in favor, with zero opposition.

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The coalition's bill to dissolve the Knesset passed in its first reading in the plenum late on Monday night, advancing the process of moving the election date forward slightly from October 27.

The passage of the bill advances the process of potentially moving the national elections forward from their scheduled date of October 27. However, the exact election date remains undecided. While the Knesset House Committee had discussed a range of dates between September 8 and October 20, a final decision was deferred. Lawmakers agreed to advance the dissolution bill first, with the date to be finalized ahead of the bill's subsequent readings.

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No lawmakers voted against the bill, resulting in a 106 to zero vote.

This move comes amid internal coalition tensions, particularly concerning the contentious draft bill for ultra-Orthodox conscription. The coalition's decision to introduce its own dissolution bill is widely viewed as a strategic maneuver by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to exert greater control over the electoral timeline. Despite the potential for earlier elections, August is excluded due to the typical 90-day waiting period required after a dissolution bill's approval, suggesting elections could occur in early September or mid-October.

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The passage of the dissolution bill comes after the crisis in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition with the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties over the contentious draft bill.

The bill must still pass two more readings in the plenum before it becomes law. The late-night vote followed the return of some lawmakers from a recent trip to participate in the Israel Parade in New York.

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The coalition’s submission of its own dissolution bill has been viewed as a way for the prime minister to control the pace and timing of the elections, as it grants the government greater control over the process.