Israel's parliament dissolved early Friday, completing a full four-year term, a rare feat in Israeli politics, last achieved back in 1988.
The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, in Jerusalem © Mena Today
Israel's parliament dissolved early Friday, completing a full four-year term, a rare feat in Israeli politics, last achieved back in 1988.
The dissolution came at the end of a marathon session in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition rushed through a string of controversial bills, including two laws effectively halting the enlistment of ultra-Orthodox men in the military, as well as several measures tied to his judicial overhaul, including tighter government control over broadcast media and a weakening of the powers of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
Elections have been set for October 27, the latest possible date allowed by law, meaning the government will have served out its full term. "We are completing a four-year term, we passed nine budgets and hundreds of bills, I thank you for the trust you placed in me," said Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana as he announced the dissolution.
At 76, Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, heads into the campaign in a weakened position. Polls show a groundswell of support for opposition parties, led by former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and a popular centrist former military chief, as Israel approaches the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks.
Israel reacted sharply to remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron at the United Nations, after Macron criticized Israeli actions in the West Bank and claimed Hamas was not active in the territory, where the Palestinian Authority governs.
Opportunism, falsehoods, unjustified attacks: French President Emmanuel Macron's latest speech to the United Nations has drawn sharp criticism.
US President Donald Trump used his UN General Assembly speech on Tuesday to make the case for his war on Iran, arguing he has prevented Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and warning that he could "annihilate the Islamic Republic" if no deal is reached to end the conflict.
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