Israeli Knesset passes dissolution bill in 106-0 first reading, opening path to snap elections over Haredi draft crisis

The Knesset voted 106-0 in a first reading early on June 2, 2026, to advance a bill dissolving the parliament and triggering early elections, a striking unanimous tally that exposed how thoroughly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition has fractured over military conscription of ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) men. The crisis ignited in mid-May when Netanyahu told Haredi political leaders that the coalition lacked the votes to pass legislation exempting yeshiva students from the draft and asked them to shelve the bill until after elections. Ultra-Orthodox parties United Torah Judaism (UTJ) and Shas — with UTJ acting on the instruction of Rabbi Dov Lando — instead moved to bring down the government.

The dissolution bill, advanced through the House Committee by coalition whip Ofir Katz, still requires two more plenum readings to become law. Critically, it was passed without a fixed election date: the committee set a target window of September 8 to October 20, 2026, with Shas and UTJ pressing for a September vote 'before the High Holy Days' to maximize Haredi turnout, though Katz stressed lawmakers could later pick a date outside that range. The 25th Knesset has run 3 years and 7 months of its 4-year term.

Legislative elections were otherwise due by late October 2026 to choose the 120-member 26th Knesset. The vote sets up a high-stakes campaign that could end Netanyahu's premiership and reshape Israel's governing coalition.