Political earthquake: Netanyahu coalition moves toward elections

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition submitted a bill to dissolve the Knesset and trigger early elections after ultra-Orthodox parties revolted over the government’s failure to pass a draft exemption law for yeshiva students.

The political shake-up followed a dramatic announcement by the Degel HaTorah faction that it would push to bring down the government, forcing the coalition to scramble to control the election process before the opposition could seize momentum.

If the bill passes, Israelis could head to the polls as early as September, marking one of the most politically volatile moments since the October 7 war.