JERUSALEM: Israel moved closer on Wednesday to a snap election after lawmakers gave an initial nod to dissolve parliament, with opinion polls showing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would lose the first national vote since the 2023 Hamas attacks. Lawmakers voted almost unanimously for an early ballot in a preliminary reading of a bill to disband the 120-seat Knesset. If it receives final approval, a process that could take weeks, Israel could hold an election several weeks ahead of an October 27 deadline.

Israeli opposition parties on Monday urged lawmakers to back a bill to dissolve the Knesset, with the proposal expected to face a preliminary vote next...

Netanyahu is still trying to revive the draft exemption bill to keep Haredi parties in the bloc, while final election timing remains disputed between September and late October