Israel’s Parliament, the Knesset, voted on July 17, 2026 to dissolve itself, triggering national elections on October 27, 2026. The vote passed with support from 62 of the 120 members, marking the first time since 1988 that a Knesset has completed its full four-year term [1, 2, 3, 4].

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving premier at age 76, is seeking another term despite declining popularity and growing opposition. Polls show Netanyahu’s Likud party trailing a newly established rival, the Yashar party, led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot [1, 2, 3, 4]. Secular right-wing leader Avigdor Liberman vowed, "On October 27, we will win. We will replace [the government]." [3]

In the final days before dissolution, the ruling coalition passed several controversial bills aimed at shoring up support among ultra-Orthodox and nationalist allies. These included legislation limiting the attorney general's powers, freezing arrests of draft dodgers, expanding government oversight of the media, and exempting ultra-Orthodox men from military conscription [1, 2, 3]. Also passed was the Party Funding Law, which legally confirmed the election date and related funding arrangements [3].

Speaker of Parliament Amir Ohana described the session, saying, "This session was marked by all kinds of protests – it coincided with the toughest and longest war in the country's history. We are heading towards a battle of ideas which, by its nature, is characterised by increasingly sharpened positions" [2]. The dissolution and upcoming election come amid Israel’s ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, tensions with Iran, and public outrage over security failures during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks [1, 2, 3, 4].

Israel’s electoral system allocates 120 Knesset seats nationwide by proportional representation, with a 3.25% threshold needed for parties to enter parliament [4]. Despite dissolving itself, the Knesset may continue functioning for about 10 more days due to procedural issues related to formalizing the election date [1, 2].

The next parliamentary election is scheduled for October 27, 2026, when Israelis will choose their representatives amid war and political divisions [1, 2, 3, 4].