Knesset votes on official dispersal of parliament, wrapping up final legislative blitz

The Knesset officially voted to dissolve itself early Friday morning, approving the motion 62-0, and sending the legislative body to recess ahead of the October 27 election. This dissolution followed a final legislative blitz by the coalition, which passed several controversial bills. These included legislation:

• Stripping powers from the attorney general, effective January 2027.
• Freezing the arrests of Haredi draft dodgers, a measure immediately frozen by the High Court of Justice.
• Significantly expanding government oversight of media outlets.
• Extending the mandatory service period for male soldiers to 32 months from the current 30, despite IDF objections for a longer extension.

Knesset Speaker MK Amir Ohana described the 25th Knesset as the “most challenging” in Israeli history, citing protests and the ongoing war, but also noted “major moments of broad agreement and legislation that benefited many sectors of the public.”