Knesset rejects self-dissolution: Netanyahu's government gains time!

Knesset rejects self-dissolution: Netanyahu's government gains time!

On June 12, 2025, the Knesset, Israel's parliament, rejected a preliminary vote on self-dissolution. 61 MPs voted against the proposal, while 53 voted for its dissolution. This decision allows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition to gain more time to resolve the current political crisis. The ultra-Orthodox coalition factions in particular are dissatisfied with the deadlock and have announced that they will vote with the opposition for the dissolution of the Knesset and early elections. The next elections are currently scheduled for the end of 2026.

The situation in Israel is tense. Opposition MPs are calling for the replacement of the Netanyahu government while stressing the need to end the war in Gaza and return hostages. Opinion polls suggest Netanyahu's coalition would lose in an election, citing security failures in the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. At the same time, Netanyahu has been working on a solution to the deadlocked dispute over a new conscription law, which is also a central point of political disagreement.

Political and social tensions

Negotiations over the conscription law come at a critical time, as the ultra-Orthodox parties in the coalition disagree over whether to exempt seminary students from military service or eliminate those exemptions. The Supreme Court ruled in the summer of 2024 that ultra-Orthodox men must be called up for military service, which had not been the case for decades. Many ultra-Orthodox Jews perceive military service as a threat to their lifestyle.

Demonstrations in front of parliament highlighted the deep social fissures in Israel. Citizens' anger is directed at Netanyahu, who is accused of putting his political future above national security and the release of hostages. In particular, the renewed military strike in Gaza, which ended a two-month ceasefire, led to widespread protests and a rise in deaths.

The reactions of the population

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have claimed over 400 lives and left scores injured, marking one of the bloodiest days of the conflict. Despite the escalation of violence, polls show that over 70% of Israelis support continuing negotiations with Hamas. 61.5% of Likud voters are also in favor of continuing the ceasefire.

However, Netanyahu's resumption of military activities has also strengthened his political position. The far right, led by the Jewish Power party, has rejoined Netanyahu's coalition, which is significant ahead of a crucial budget vote. A controversial bill was also approved that would change the composition of the judicial selection committee, a move seen as an attempt to politicize judicial selection as part of the Netanyahu government's sweeping judicial reform.

The Knesset has taken a first step towards voting on a possible self-dissolution, but this would require passing all four readings. The result of the preliminary vote is therefore only part of an as yet unresolved political game that will determine Israel's future.