Israel's 25th Knesset voted early Friday to dissolve itself in its second and third readings, formally setting national elections for Oct. 27. The measure passed with support from both coalition and opposition lawmakers and no votes against.
The dissolution formally marks the end of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's current coalition, which became the first Israeli government in decades to complete a full four-year term. Israelis will elect the 26th Knesset in the upcoming elections.
The coalition had set the Oct. 27 election date during a meeting on July 12. The current government, Israel's 37th, was sworn in on Dec. 29, 2022, following elections held the previous month.
Before approving the dissolution bill, the coalition secured passage of legislation extending mandatory Israel Defense Forces service from 30 to 32 months. The bill passed with backing from ultra-Orthodox lawmakers despite ongoing disputes over military conscription for yeshivah students that had created tension within the coalition.
The election campaign is expected to center on Israel's security in the three years since the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, the Iranian threat, and domestic matters including the future of military conscription and judicial reform.