The Knesset plenum voted 62 in favor of a temporary order that increases party funding for the upcoming elections to the 26th Knesset, shortly after unanimously approving the Knesset's dissolution. Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz summarized the term, noting the passage of nine budgets and hundreds of laws.
The Knesset plenum approved a temporary order increasing party funding for the 26th Knesset elections early Friday morning, passing 62 in favor. The vote came shortly after the Knesset unanimously approved its dissolution at 04:31 Jerusalem, completing a four-year term. The funding order, which had been stalled earlier in the evening, was passed as part of the final legislative package.
The approval follows a night of legislative brinkmanship. At 21:41 Jerusalem on Thursday, The Zioneer reported that Shas chairman Aryeh Deri refused to vote for the dissolution bill without opposition support, and the coalition withdrew the legislation. By the same hour, the party funding law was returned to committee after Shas refused to bring it to a vote. The deadlock was resolved by late Thursday night, with the coalition securing the necessary votes for both the dissolution and the funding order.
As The Zioneer reported on July 12, Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz had stated the Knesset would serve its full term for the first time in 40 years. The dissolution vote, unanimous, marked the first time in 38 years a full term was completed. Earlier, on June 23, Netanyahu dispatched Katz to craft a legislative package to bring Haredi parties back to the coalition. The funding order ensures parties have resources for the campaign.
The election date has been set for October 27, as reported. The temporary funding order is intended to cover campaign costs. No further legislative obstacles are expected before the elections.
4 developments
- StrongParty election budgets surge 25 million shekels; Likud primary funding nearly doubles
- DevelopingKnesset legal advisor recommends dissolution bill this week, setting party list deadline for September 7
- StrongCoalition Chair Katz: Knesset will serve full term, first time in 40 years
- DevelopingCoalition considers advancing elections by one day to October 26
Source and signal
- Internal intake