Israel Dissolves Parliament Ahead of Election

Israel's Knesset was dissolved early Friday morning ahead of elections scheduled for 27 October. Lawmakers approved the motion by a vote of 62 to 0 after the coalition pushed through a series of controversial laws at the end of its term, the Times of Israel reported.

Among them are measures to weaken the powers of the attorney general, expand government oversight of the media and temporarily suspend criminal prosecution of ultra-Orthodox men evading military service. The Supreme Court has since suspended the latter measure.

The Knesset also approved an extension of mandatory military service for men from 30 to 32 months, although the army had requested up to 36 months because of a persistent shortage of soldiers during the war.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported the dissolution of parliament. The opposition, meanwhile, criticized an increase in state funding for political parties just before the election.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana described the outgoing legislative term as one of the most challenging in Israel's history.

(mja)