Israeli opposition to propose new bill dispersing Knesset
Yair Lapid, the Israeli Leader of the Opposition, will present a bill today proposing to disperse the country’s main legislative body, the Knesset.
The bill hopes to replace the current body of legislators with one more capable of addressing Israel’s pandemic response and economic recovery. A record 80,000 Israeli businesses closed this year, and the unemployment rate remains around 20%.
Lapid has made clear his reluctance to negotiate the bill, insisting that it be voted upon. Benjamin Netanyahu and his dominant right-wing Likud party have repeatedly voiced their opposition to the bill, and will likely use national unity as a main point of persuasion. Expect Netanyahu to do everything in his power to ensure a June election, which would afford him time to claim credit for any economic recovery. Although the bill has been postponed in the past due to lack of support from Benny Gantz’s Blue and White Party, Gantz recently voiced his reluctance toward maintaining the status quo. If Gantz delivers his party’s support, the bill will likely pass its preliminary reading today. However, even if they succeed, supporters of the bill must pass it thrice in committee and thrice more in plenum before it becomes law.
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