Knesset Dissolution Vote Expected as Bennett and Lapid Launch Joint Campaign

A bill to dissolve the Israeli Knesset is scheduled for a vote next Wednesday, driven by a coalition crisis over the ultra-Orthodox draft exemption. This move potentially triggers early elections before October. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett praised the potential dissolution, criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for prioritizing haredi interests over national security. Bennett made these remarks during the first major campaign event for the newly merged Together party, alongside opposition leader Yair Lapid in Tel Aviv. Addressing approximately 3,500 supporters, Bennett outlined his platform, which includes establishing a constitution, reforming the education system to include core subjects for all children, and integrating ultra-Orthodox citizens into military service and the workforce. He emphasized ending educational separatism by withholding funds from schools that do not teach state-aligned curricula. Additionally, Bennett pledged to improve support for wounded soldiers and implement economic reforms to lower living costs. The Together party, combining Bennett’s right-wing background with Lapid’s centrism, aims to unite the opposition bloc against Netanyahu’s Likud party, despite currently trailing in polls.