Israel Moves Closer to Early Elections

Israel moved closer to early elections on Wednesday after MPs approved a motion to dissolve parliament in its first reading. Opinion polls suggest that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would lose the first national election since the Hamas attacks in 2023.

The dissolution bill passed with 110 votes in the 120-member Knesset, with no dissenters or abstentions. The proposal now heads to committee to set an election date before returning to the Knesset for final approval. The process could take weeks, but if the bill passes, Israel could hold elections before the regular deadline of 27 October.

Netanyahu's own coalition introduced the bill after a faction traditionally close to the Israeli leader accused him of reneging on a promise to pass a law exempting their community from compulsory military service.

(reuters)