The coalition has scheduled to fast-track controversial legislation ahead of the potential passage of the bill to dissolve the Knesset, which was submitted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition late on Wednesday night in a move that could bring the election date forward from October 27.
The tensions come after the crisis in Netanyahu’s coalition with the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties over the controversial conscription law.
Amid the push to advance controversial legislation, it was reported that the Prime Minister’s Office was advancing a five-year plan for the haredi community that is expected to transfer billions of shekels to the sector while entrenching the policy for many years, according to a Thursday Kan News report.
The report stated that 25% of the Education Ministry’s construction budget would be allocated to haredi educational institutions, while NIS 44 million would be transferred annually to a “dropout prevention” program aimed at preventing enlistment in the IDF.
The intention would be to bring the plan for government approval before the vote on dissolving the Knesset, as the ability to approve it becomes more limited afterward, the report added.
Opposition lawmakers seen at the Knesset, October 27, 2025 (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
The Finance Ministry said that “it was not familiar with the matter” when asked about the plan by The Jerusalem Post.
The Education Ministry and a spokesperson from the Prime Minister’s Office did not respond to the Post’s request for comment.
Dr. Assaf Shapira, an expert at the Israel Democracy Institute and head of the Political Reform Program, spoke to the Post on Thursday about the implications of the coalition submitting the Knesset dissolution bill, explaining how it would affect coalition legislation and some political considerations.
Shapira explained that the bill being submitted by Netanyahu’s coalition, rather than the opposition, grants the government greater control over the process of dissolving the Knesset and determining the election date, though the difference is “not hugely significant.”
Shapira said the bill could be passed very quickly if the coalition wants to move fast, though the process could also be slowed down depending on Netanyahu’s political considerations.
Shapira added that there was also a framing element behind the coalition’s decision to advance its own dissolution bill, as it would politically appear better for Netanyahu to bring the legislation forward himself rather than have it pass through the opposition with support from the haredi parties.
The fight over the election date is largely seen as due to the haredi parties reportedly pushing for September elections. Netanyahu, however, is reportedly seeking them at the end of October as planned, which would grant the government more time to advance its legislation.
Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee chairman MK Simcha Rothman has accelerated discussions on the contentious bill to split the role of Israel’s attorney-general into three different positions, scheduling more discussions next week, a Knesset spokesperson confirmed to the Post.
There are also marathon meetings scheduled on the controversial communications reform bill, which calls for sweeping reforms to Israel’s broadcasting sector.
Shapira said that, typically, after the Knesset dissolution bill passes, legislative advancement is halted, though there is some flexibility.
“Stopping controversial legislation during election periods, that’s mostly a very established custom,” Shapira said. “The Knesset’s legal adviser has also said that’s how things should work. But it’s not formally anchored in law.”
“So the question is whether the coalition will nevertheless try to continue legislating during the election period.”
The haredi parties have reportedly been pushing for an earlier election date that better aligns with the High Holy Days and increases turnout among haredi voters.
Haredi parties’ considerations regarding election date.
Shapira also addressed reports about the considerations haredi parties have regarding the election date.
“Elections are almost always on Tuesdays. So, people are talking about September 1 [as a major date for consideration]. The following week is already very close to Rosh Hashanah, so that probably won’t happen. Then there’s September 15, but that’s already close to Yom Kippur and Sukkot.”
“During the holiday season, most ultra-Orthodox Israelis are in the country, except if it’s too close to Rosh Hashanah, because some travel to Uman. Small logistical considerations like that.”
He noted that there shouldn’t “be too much weight given” to the matter of moving up the elections, because, in practice, the difference would be a matter of a few weeks. “We’re talking about October or September,” he explained.
Elections could not be held in August since 90 days are required to have passed from the time the bill is approved.
Shapira also noted that both Netanyahu and the haredi parties benefit from the drama of the Knesset dissolution.
“The ultra-Orthodox parties can show they’re standing their ground, and Netanyahu can show he’s not surrendering to them. It works politically for both sides,” he said.