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

Key Points:

• Israel’s ruling coalition, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, has submitted a proposal to dissolve parliament, triggering early elections likely to be held around August, two months ahead of the scheduled October end of the legislative term.
• The move comes amid pressure from ultra-Orthodox parties upset over Netanyahu’s failure to pass legislation exempting yeshiva students from compulsory military service, threatening the stability of his coalition.
• Opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett have formed a joint list called Beyahad and plan to campaign on issues including a national inquiry into the Hamas attack on 7 October and mandatory military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews.
• A recent poll shows Likud narrowly leading with 26 seats versus Beyahad’s 25 in the fragmented Knesset, but neither bloc appears able to form a stable government, indicating continued political uncertainty.
• Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister who is facing a corruption trial and recently underwent prostate cancer surgery, remains determined to seek re-election despite criticism over his handling of security failures and ongoing multifront conflicts.