JERUSALEM — The Knesset House Committee approved the coalition’s bill to dissolve the Knesset on May 20, 2026, with eight lawmakers in favor. The committee also determined a range of possible election dates from September 8 to October 20, 2026, though no specific date was set due to disagreements among lawmakers.
The dissolution bill passed its preliminary reading the same day with 110 lawmakers in favor and none opposed. It must now pass three additional readings in the Knesset plenum to take effect. Ofir Katz, coalition whip, said, "The range between September 8 and October 20 would not be limiting, and that lawmakers would still be able to choose a different date outside that range later on, if they decided to do so."
Dean Livne, acting director general of the Central Elections Committee, outlined logistical considerations for the potential dates. "We are taking all necessary steps to be ready as quickly as possible. We would appreciate it if the Knesset provides us with a date no fewer than 83 days in advance," he said. Livne added, "Several dates have been raised. The most complex date for us, although still feasible, is September 15, because it falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur." He noted, "If the Knesset chooses that date [September 15], we will request an extension of the deadline for publishing the official results by one day, from eight days to nine."
Lawmakers from the haredi parties Shas and United Torah Judaism expressed support for holding elections in September, before the High Holy Days. Numerous reports indicate they pushed for an earlier date to improve haredi voter turnout. Coalition tensions escalated in mid-May after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed the haredi parties that the haredi draft legislation lacked sufficient support to pass. The coalition attempted to revive the bill on the same day as the preliminary dissolution vote in a final effort to dissuade haredi lawmakers from supporting dissolution.
Rabbi Dov Lando, spiritual leader of Degel Hatorah, wrote in a letter, "We no longer have trust in Netanyahu." Lando instructed United Torah Judaism lawmakers to stop cooperating with coalition efforts on the haredi draft bill. Multiple coalition lawmakers have spoken against the bill, warning it would not resolve the IDF’s manpower crisis and could harm Israel’s security. The IDF has repeatedly cited an urgent manpower shortage after more than two years of war.