The Israeli Knesset announced on Sunday that legislative elections will be held on October 27, the latest date permitted by law, in a vote widely viewed as a referendum on the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since the outbreak of the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip.
The current Knesset’s term expires on July 17, allowing the governing coalition to complete its full four-year mandate, a milestone that has not been achieved in decades.
In a statement, the Knesset said:
“As it is expected that the current Knesset will complete its full term, and since the next general elections are already set by law for October 27, with no intention of shortening the parliamentary term, there is no need to pass a law dissolving the Knesset in the usual manner.”
Netanyahu, 76, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister across multiple terms, has announced his intention to run in the upcoming election.
In recent weeks, his government—considered one of the most right-wing in Israel’s history—has sought to pass a series of laws aimed at strengthening its coalition and entering the election campaign from a position of strength.
Last month, Netanyahu said he intended to “form a broad national government, not a right-wing government, nor a left-wing government dependent on Arab parties.”
By signaling openness to political rivals, Netanyahu appears to be reshaping his campaign message to emphasize national unity rather than ideological polarization.
However, recent opinion polls indicate that a majority of Israelis want him to leave office, with former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot emerging as one of his principal challengers.
Public calls for Netanyahu’s departure have intensified, particularly following the U.S.-Iran agreement aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East, which has drawn widespread criticism within Israel.
AFP
