This vote is widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership since the start of the war in the Gaza Strip.
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The Knesset will end its current term on July 17, allowing the ruling coalition to complete a full four-year term for the first time in several decades.
“Since the current Knesset is expected to serve the full term, and the next general elections are legally scheduled for October 27 with no intention to shorten the legislative term, there is no need to pass a Knesset dissolution law in the usual sense,” the parliament statement said.
76-year-old B. Netanyahu is already the longest-serving prime minister in the country over several terms and has spoken about intending to run again.
In recent days, his government – one of the most right-wing coalitions in Israel’s history – has rushed to pass a series of laws to strengthen its alliance and enter the elections from a strong position.
Last month, B. Netanyahu even declared his intention to “create a broad national government, not a right-wing, not a left-wing government dependent on Arab parties, but a broad national government.”
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Seeking cooperation with the opposition, B. Netanyahu appears to be trying to shift his election campaign focus towards national unity rather than ideological compatibility.
However, recent polls show that the majority of Israel’s population wants B. Netanyahu to step down, with former military chief Gadi Eisenkot becoming his main rival.
The public has become critical of the ceasefire that halted the war against Iran initiated by Israel and the US at the end of February, following an agreement between Tehran and Washington, which many view as unfavorable to Israel.
Anger also lingers over security failures related to the October 7 attacks, which continue to weigh on B. Netanyahu’s reputation.
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