Israel dissolves parliament, sets October 27 election

Israel's parliament, the Knesset, officially dissolved itself in the early hours of Friday, July 17, 2026, following the passage of several controversial bills in the final days of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government. This dissolution sets the stage for a general election slated for October 27, 2026.

Knesset Chairman Amir Ohana announced the parliament's dissolution, noting that it had successfully completed a full four-year term, a rarity in Israel's often politically volatile history. "We have completed a four-year term, passed nine budgets, and hundreds of laws," Ohana stated, thanking members for their trust. The last time an Israeli government completed its term on schedule was in 1988, with the period between 2019 and 2022 seeing five elections due to political crises.

In its final days, the Knesset approved significant funding packages aimed at expanding Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. One package allocated 1.3 billion Israeli Shekels (approximately $431 million) for building 34 new settlements, while another 1.075 billion Shekels (about $358 million) was approved for constructing new roads connecting these settlements.

Meanwhile, support for Netanyahu's coalition appears to be weakening ahead of the election. A survey by Maariv suggests the opposition bloc is projected to win 62 seats in the Knesset, surpassing the 61 seats needed for a majority. Netanyahu's bloc is estimated to secure only 48 seats, while Arab parties hold 10. The survey also revealed that 55 percent of respondents lack confidence in the government's ability to make the right decisions leading up to the election.

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We have completed a four-year term, passed nine budgets, and hundreds of laws. I thank you for the trust you have placed in me, which has enabled us to maintain a full four-year term.