Israeli Coalition Pushes to Dissolve Knesset Early Amid Fears of Last-Minute Political Coup

The Israeli coalition is expected to approve a law to dissolve the Knesset within the next two weeks, aiming for final passage by July 17, according to Channel 12 analyst Daphna Liel. This accelerated move is driven by serious concerns within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office about a potential last-minute political maneuver by the opposition and discontented coalition members. Coalition sources fear that without officially entering an election period, some coalition MKs might defect and join opposition leaders to initiate a constructive vote of no confidence. Such a vote could establish an alternative government within the current Knesset, bypassing elections and causing the Likud party to lose power before voters have a say. MK Miki Zohar emphasized that winning the upcoming elections requires two key conditions, underscoring the coalition's anxiety about the possibility of a government change without elections. The push to pass the dissolution law aims to prevent this scenario by ensuring any political shifts lead directly to elections, securing the democratic process and the coalition's hold on power.