Netanyahu's Last-Minute Legislative Push Ahead of Israeli Elections

Jerusalem – With Israel’s Knesset set to dissolve on July 15, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is racing to advance a series of legislative priorities through the parliament before the summer session ends. The push comes just four months ahead of national elections scheduled for no later than October 27, as Netanyahu seeks to strengthen his coalition alliances and secure key policy victories ahead of the vote.

Seven major bills are currently on the Knesset agenda, each backed by one or more parties in Netanyahu’s ruling coalition. The prime minister, who has served nearly two decades across multiple terms, faces growing public criticism over failures leading up to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. Recent opinion polls suggest Netanyahu’s Likud party may struggle to regain power in the October elections.

One of the most contentious proposals is the “Basic Law: Torah Study,” which seeks to grant exemptions from military service to ultra-Orthodox students engaged in religious studies. The bill, approved in a preliminary reading in June, states that long-term Torah study will be recognized as national service. The measure has drawn widespread protests and sparked intense debate across Israeli media. Ultra-Orthodox parties, including United Torah Judaism and Shas, have long demanded this exemption and threatened to withdraw from the coalition if it is not passed.

In exchange for their support, these parties are expected to back other key legislation favored by Likud. Among them is a controversial reform of Israel’s broadcasting sector, which aims to overhaul regulations governing television, radio, and streaming platforms. Supporters argue the reform will introduce market competition, but critics warn it could allow political control over media outlets and weaken press independence.

Another contentious bill seeks to reform the role of the state attorney general, currently held by Gali Baharav-Miara, a vocal critic of Netanyahu. The proposed changes would prevent the attorney general’s legal opinions from being binding on the government. Opposition leaders and legal experts argue this would undermine an important check on executive power and politicize criminal prosecutions.

Additionally, the government is pushing to repeal a previous reform that opened the kosher certification market to competition, thereby ending the religious establishment’s monopoly. Ultra-Orthodox parties, particularly Shas, have championed this move, while critics say it will increase costs for restaurant owners and consumers.

While negotiations continue, heated disagreements within the coalition itself threaten to delay or derail several bills. If necessary, lawmakers may extend the Knesset session by up to 12 days to complete legislative proceedings. The political stakes remain high as Netanyahu seeks to secure his alliances and shape policy before voters head to the polls in October.

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