Israeli gov't coalition submits bill to dissolve parliament

JERUSALEM -- Chairman of the Israeli government coalition Ofir Katz submitted a bill on Wednesday to dissolve parliament, together with the heads of all coalition factions, a move that could pave the way for an early election.

Under the proposal, a copy of which was seen by Xinhua, the election date would be set through discussions in the Knesset (parliament) House Committee.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition, considered the most far-right government in Israel's history, was inaugurated in December 2022. The next election is scheduled for October 2026, but the new proposal calls for an early end to the government's term.

Netanyahu's coalition has faced widespread public criticism, including weekly demonstrations demanding his resignation over corruption charges for which he is standing trial, and over his government's failure to prevent the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed.