Israel heads toward early elections as Netanyahu coalition cracks

Israel moved a step closer to early elections after lawmakers voted 106-0 in favor of the first reading of a bill to dissolve the Knesset, signaling a potential end to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government.

The political crisis erupted after ultra-Orthodox parties rebelled against the coalition over its failure to pass legislation preserving military draft exemptions for yeshiva students. The dispute has exposed deep fractures within Netanyahu’s governing bloc, with key coalition partners now openly pushing for elections that could take place as early as September or October.

The vote has effectively launched Israel into election mode, with opposition parties already positioning the campaign as a referendum on Netanyahu’s leadership after years of war, security challenges, judicial battles, and political turmoil. The coming months are expected to trigger an intense fight over the country’s future direction at one of the most sensitive moments in Israel’s history.