Israeli Knesset Sets October 27 Election Date Amid Political Turmoil

The Israeli Knesset will officially dissolve on July 17, setting the date for the next national elections on October 27, 2024. This decision was confirmed by the Knesset Committee overseeing party financing laws. The upcoming elections mark the first time since 1988 that Israel will hold elections on the originally scheduled date, despite a turbulent political term marked by protests against judicial reforms, the October 7 massacre, ongoing hostage negotiations, and a nearly three-year-long war.

The Central Elections Committee, led by Supreme Court Judge Noam Sohlberg, will manage the elections. Following the resignation of Orly Ades, Din Livneh currently serves as acting CEO of the committee. The deadline for submitting candidate lists is still undecided, with Livneh advocating for 50 days before the election.

The election period will officially begin on July 17, when the Knesset enters recess and the government transitions to a caretaker status, limiting legislative activity to agreed regulations or urgent security needs. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to finalize a political deal with ultra-Orthodox parties, involving significant financial concessions aimed at maintaining a unified coalition bloc ahead of the elections. Netanyahu’s strategy focuses on securing the ultra-Orthodox bloc’s support to prevent opposition parties from forming a government.

Opposition leader Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beiteinu responded to the election announcement by promising victory and pledging to replace the current government with a Zionist and national government to restore the country.

In the final weeks before the elections, several controversial laws were advanced, including a softened Basic Law on Torah study that still protects ultra-Orthodox exemptions from military service, and amendments to laws concerning the detention of draft evaders. A new law splitting the Attorney General’s role into two separate positions was also passed, defining distinct responsibilities for legal advice and criminal prosecution.

Additional legislative changes include attempts to reverse a kosher certification reform aimed at increasing competition, a new law permitting gender-segregated advanced academic studies under strict conditions, and a major communications law proposed by Minister Shlomo Karhi to deregulate the television news market and introduce a government app offering free access to news channels. These legislative moves reflect ongoing political negotiations and attempts to secure coalition support before the election period begins.