Election season in Israel: Important dates to note before voters head to the polls - explainer

Israel's election season is officially underway, with the 25th Knesset set to dissolve on July 17. This marks a significant milestone, as it will be the first time since 1988 that Israeli elections are conducted after a full four-year term for the parliament. Following the Knesset's dissolution, its members will continue to serve until the first session of the newly elected Knesset convenes. Similarly, the current government will remain in office until a new government is established, a process that may extend beyond the formation of the Knesset. Civil servants wishing to run for a seat in the 26th Knesset must resign from their posts by July 19. This date, 100 days before the election, is the deadline for state employees, including ministry staff, police officers, and state prosecutors, who are legally restricted from political candidacy while employed and from publicly criticizing the government or Knesset. Several major political parties are preparing for the general election by holding their primaries. Yair Golan’s Democrats party will hold its primaries on July 20. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionist Party is scheduled for July 26, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party will hold its primaries on August 4. Only registered party members are eligible to vote in these internal elections, which will determine the final order of candidates on each party's list for the general election. All parties intending to participate in the election must submit their finalized candidate lists to the Central Elections Committee by September 9. This deadline ensures voters know the composition of each party's slate. Campaign broadcasts on television and radio are permitted to begin on October 13, commencing the official 21-day pre-election campaign period.