Israel heads to early elections

Israeli lawmakers voted unanimously today for a bill to dissolve the Knesset. Triggered by fractures in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition—particularly over ultra-Orthodox parties’ demands for military service exemptions—the move could advance voting from the scheduled October 27 date to as early as September. Polls suggest Netanyahu’s Likud party would struggle, potentially losing its governing majority amid ongoing security challenges and political fatigue following the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks and the Gaza war. The dissolution reflects deep divisions on religion-state relations, conscription and leadership stability.