Benjamin Netanyahu leads the Knesset into dissolution as Israel prepares for national elections on October 27, 2026.
Benjamin Netanyahu oversaw the dissolution of the Knesset on Friday, marking the first time the Israeli parliament has completed a full four-year term since 1988. The dissolution follows a final legislative blitz where the government passed several controversial laws aimed at preserving right-wing power and reducing legal restraints on executive authority. Key measures included stripping the attorney general of the power to restrain government decisions, overhauling broadcast media regulation to favor right-wing owners, and passing laws to satisfy ultra-Orthodox parties by legitimizing Torah study and delaying military conscription for draft dodgers. These actions were designed to secure the support of the ultra-Orthodox bloc, which has been a cornerstone of the Netanyahu coalition for two decades. While current polls suggest a groundswell of support for opposition parties led by Naftali Bennett and former military chief Gadi Eizenkot, the pro-Netanyahu bloc remains a formidable contender. The administration announced that the next elections will determine if the country will continue under the current right-wing leadership or shift toward a more centrist coalition.