Israel ends historic Knesset era before election
Key Takeaways
- Israel's 25th Knesset completed its first full four-year term since 1988.
- Parliament concluded its final session before the October 27 national election.
- Netanyahu's coalition ended the term after approving several key bills.
Israel's first parliament since 1988 to complete a full term wrapped up its final session, paving the way for October's national election
Israel's 25th Knesset has officially concluded its work after completing a full four-year term, marking the first time an Israeli parliament has reached the milestone since 1988.
The final session on Friday ended with applause from lawmakers as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz looked on before parliament formally closed ahead of national elections.
Coalition Whip Ofir Katz praised lawmakers for completing the full term and highlighted the work carried out during the past four years.
"We are completing a four-year term. We passed nine budgets, hundreds of laws. I thank you for the trust you placed in me, that together we managed to hold a four-year term. We did this together with the whole group, with all the members here, and this is only one part. God willing, for another four years of you continuing to lead the State of Israel," Katz told the Knesset.
The final sitting followed a week of marathon parliamentary sessions in which lawmakers approved several controversial bills as Netanyahu pushed through key elements of his legislative agenda.
The dissolution of the 25th Knesset officially launches Israel's election period, with voters set to elect members of the 26th Knesset on October 27.
Under Israeli law, the newly elected parliament is expected to convene about two weeks after the vote, when lawmakers will begin forming a new government.
The completion of the four-year term ends more than a decade of repeated early elections and short-lived governments, making the 25th Knesset the first Israeli parliament in nearly four decades to serve its full mandate.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
