The Israeli parliament has approved its dissolution this Thursday, setting the stage for new elections in November. The current government, a coalition built from parties across the political spectrum, had a term just over a year long and now comes to an end.
With the government’s fall, the administration that has been led by Naftali Bennett gives way to Yair Lapid, who will serve as acting prime minister until a new governing coalition is formed. The dissolution was approved by 92 of the 120 members of parliament, reflecting a deep and persistent rift within the coalition and its core factions.
These internal fractures have hampered government operations, triggering multiple crises in recent months and causing resignations from cabinet members as well as a loss of the narrow parliamentary majority.
The deeply entrenched political crisis has led to talk of a fifth election within four years, underscoring a crisis that began to unfold in late 2018. The Knesset has faced a turbulent week, with dissolution efforts hampered by bureaucratic hurdles and disagreements among the parties that make up the coalition.
One key point of contention has been the election date, which has been set for November 1. In response to the looming elections, Naftali Bennett announced his departure and indicated that Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked, the head of the Yamina party, would assume leadership duties.
Bennett’s farewell speech highlighted his government’s accomplishments, praised Lapid for his leadership, and stressed the importance of Israeli parties putting ideological differences aside to address security, the economy, and the nation’s future.
Recent polls suggest that former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seen as the leading vote-getter in several recent electoral cycles, though forming a new government will depend on the alliances Netanyahu can secure. His traditional ultra-Orthodox and far-right partners will need to help secure a majority of at least 61 seats to form a coalition, a task that has proven difficult in the past.
Lapid stands second in the surveys and is widely viewed as the plaintiff voice against Netanyahu’s bloc, which has faced significant challenges in sharing power over the last year. The political landscape remains fluid as parties recalibrate strategies for a coalition that could shape Israel’s direction on security, economic reform, and regional diplomacy. This assessment is supported by several contemporary analyses from national and international outlets and reflects ongoing developments in Israeli politics as reported by multiple observers.