Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition government are rushing several controversial bills through the Knesset before the legislature dissolves this week.
The legislative push is a strategic effort to secure the loyalty of ultra-Orthodox and nationalist right-wing partners. By delivering on these specific policy demands, Netanyahu aims to shore up his political base ahead of the elections scheduled for October 2024 [3].
Among the priority measures is a military-exemption bill designed specifically for ultra-Orthodox Jews. The coalition is also moving to pass a media-regulation bill, and a series of reforms targeting the attorney-general’s office.
Opponents of the blitz said the rapid succession of votes is a power grab. They said the government is using the dissolution window to bypass standard democratic scrutiny and implement sweeping changes to the judiciary and press freedom.
There is a slight discrepancy regarding the exact timing of the legislative window. Some reports indicate the Knesset is set to dissolve on July 15, 2024 [1], while other briefings suggest the date is July 17, 2024 [2].
Regardless of the specific date, the coalition is operating under extreme time pressure. The government must finalize these laws before the official dissolution of the current parliament to ensure they remain in effect during the transition to the next government.
“Netanyahu aims to shore up his political base ahead of the elections scheduled for October 2024.”
This legislative rush indicates a high-stakes gamble by Netanyahu to cement his alliance with religious and right-wing factions. By codifying exemptions and limiting the oversight of the attorney-general and media, the government is attempting to reshape the legal and social landscape of Israel before voters can weigh in during the October elections.
