Israel’s ruling coalition proposes early elections amid ultra-Orthodox anger at Netanyahu

Israel’s ruling coalition has proposed dissolving parliament to call early elections, a move led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party amid growing pressure from ultra-Orthodox allies. The draft legislation, signed by six coalition factions, would trigger polls within 90 days, potentially by late August. Netanyahu faces criticism for failing to deliver on a promise to exempt ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students from mandatory military service, a key demand of his coalition partners. The proposal preempted opposition plans to dissolve the Knesset, allowing Netanyahu to control the electoral timeline. Yair Lapid, leader of the centrist Yesh Atid party and head of the new Beyahad alliance with former premier Naftali Bennett, criticized Netanyahu’s handling of Israel’s wars since the October 7 Hamas attack. Polls show Likud leading with 26 seats, slightly ahead of Beyahad’s 25, though neither bloc can secure a majority in the fragmented Knesset. Netanyahu, 76, recently revealed he underwent prostate cancer surgery and has confirmed he will seek re-election despite an ongoing corruption trial. His government has struggled to achieve a ‘total victory’ over Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran after two years of conflict. Opposition parties plan to push for a national inquiry into the October 7 attacks and military conscription for ultra-Orthodox Jews. The early elections, if approved, would occur before the Knesset’s scheduled October 27 term end. Netanyahu’s coalition remains fragile, with ultra-Orthodox parties threatening to withdraw support over military exemptions. Lapid and Bennett’s joint list aims to capitalize on public frustration with Netanyahu’s leadership amid ongoing security challenges.