Coalition chairman Ofir Katz of Likud, together with leaders of all coalition factions, has submitted legislation to dissolve the 25th Knesset, setting the stage for early elections amid escalating political tensions.
Under the proposal, the specific date for elections would be determined during deliberations in the Knesset Committee.
Sources within the political system say the move is aimed at ensuring the coalition maintains control over how the dissolution unfolds, rather than allowing the opposition to dictate the process.
The bill is slated to come before the Knesset plenum for a preliminary vote on Wednesday and is widely expected to pass.
The development follows a dramatic shift by the charedi parties, which informed Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu a day earlier that they no longer support him, citing delays in advancing legislation related to exemptions from military service for charedim. The Degel Hatorah faction went further, declaring that it no longer considers itself bound to the right-wing bloc.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to Degel Hatorah representatives, Hagaon Rav Dov Landau wrote that “we are no longer committed to him” and directed party members to work toward elections at the earliest opportunity.
Addressing the lawmakers, Rav Landau added: “You have fulfilled your mission faithfully and beyond measure. We have no trust in the prime minister and no longer feel like his partners. We are not committed to him. From now on, we will do only what we believe is good for charedi Judaism, and in our opinion, elections should be held as soon as possible. All kinds of talk about a bloc no longer exist.”
Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz reacted to the coalition’s move by calling it a turning point.
“This is the beginning of the end of the worst government in Israeli history, and the sooner the better. But the question is not only when the elections will be, but mainly what will happen here after them. After the upcoming elections, the State of Israel must establish a broad Zionist unity government that will lead Israel forward.”
{Matzav.com}