Israel dissolves parl, sets fifth poll in 4 years
Jerusalem, June 30: Israel’s experiment with the most diverse political alliance ranging from the Left, Centre and Right to even an Islamist Arab party finally came to an end on Thursday with the Knesset voting to disperse itself in an overwhelming 92-0 vote, clearing the way for fresh polls — the fifth in less than four years.
The “anti-Netanyahu” glue (the resolve to keep former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu away from power) that kept the diverse partners with sharp ideological differences together for a little more than a year finally gave in under the weight of its incompatibility. Uncomfortable members kept the government on its toes all through its stint and chose to go with “their conscience” finally making it untenable while the Netanyahu bloc remained loyal to him, blocking the government even on issues which otherwise gelled along with their ideology.
The decision to dissolve the 120-member Knesset (Parliament) came right up to the wire, as Israel stood on the threshold of entering an unprecedented and chaotic legal situation on the West Bank.
Israel set up Israeli legal status for settlers in the West Bank, while creating separate legal treatment for Palestinians living in the same locations, through emergency regulations that were put in place in 1967 and must be renewed every five years.
The current regulations were to expire on Thursday at midnight and in
Parliament voted to disperse 92–0, setting the next round of elections on November 1. The last general election was held in March 2021.
one of the events that precipitated the coalition’s demise, the government was unable to muster support to pass the renewal against an opposition determined to block even laws it ideologically supports in order to bring about the government’s end.
Israel’s Knesset voted to disband itself on Thursday morning, sending the country reeling toward its fifth election since 2019.
The last general election was held in March 2021. Parliament voted to disperse 92–0, setting the next round of elections on November 1.