Israeli government dissolves parliament and calls for new elections

Jerusalem — Israel’s weakened coalition government decided to dissolve parliament on Monday and call for a fifth new election in three years.

Voting scheduled for later this year could lead to a resurgence of the nationalist religious government, led by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, or another long-term political impasse.

At a national press conference, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said it would not be easy to dissolve the government, but he called it “the right decision for Israel.”

A fragile coalition government, including parties from the entire political spectrum, lost a majority earlier this year and has faced rebellions from various lawmakers in recent weeks.

Foreign Minister Yile Rapid will tentatively take over from Bennett in an agreement they have announced together.

Bennett has made a series of achievements and promised an “orderly” transition.

Rapid thanked Bennett for prioritizing the country over his personal interests.

“We can’t wait for our challenge as a state, even if we go to elections within a few months,” Rapid said.

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