Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz thanked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and blessed him for another term, speaking after the Knesset dissolved early Friday, according to reports.
Coalition Chairman MK Ofir Katz (Likud) thanked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shortly after the Knesset dissolved early Friday morning, blessing him with 'With God's help for another 4 years.' The dissolution, approved in a 62-0 vote at 20:17 Jerusalem on Thursday, completed the 25th Knesset's full four-year term — the first time in 38 years. Katz's remarks came as lawmakers from both sides praised the completion of the term.
The Zioneer has tracked the dissolution process throughout the night. At 20:17 Jerusalem on Thursday, the Knesset passed the dissolution bill with unanimous support, concluding the coalition's legislative blitz, according to the Times of Israel. Earlier reports from Channel 14 had indicated the Knesset was entering an election recess, with the final legislative day on Thursday. By 20:17, the Knesset had officially dissolved and set general elections for October 27. The story evolved from initial reports of the final legislative day to the historic completion of a full term — a milestone not achieved since 1988.
The full-term completion was anticipated in recent days. On Sunday July 12, Katz himself had predicted the Knesset would serve its full term, noting the coalition passed nine budgets and hundreds of laws. Opposition leader Yair Lapid on Monday July 13 called the opposition's service of a full term its greatest achievement in 53 years. As The Zioneer reported in an article published at 04:31 Jerusalem on Friday, the Knesset's unanimous approval of dissolution marked a rare consensus.
With the Knesset dissolved and elections set for October 27, the campaign period is now underway. No further legislative developments are expected until the 26th Knesset convenes.
7 developments
- StrongCoalition Chair Katz: Knesset will serve full term, first time in 40 years
- StrongNetanyahu dispatches Coalition Chair Katz to craft agreed legislative package with coalition leaders
- DevelopingCoalition whip: Knesset majority holds even if all Arab MKs vote no
- DevelopingGantz urges coalition members: 'Go to the PM, tell him enough'
Source and signal
- Internal intake
