Israel’s parliament has voted in its first reading to advance a bill to dissolve the Knesset, a step that could lead the country to early elections in the fall, slightly ahead of the previously expected timetable.

The bill, supported by the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, passed with 110 votes in favor and none against out of 120 members, though there were some abstentions.

While the legislation does not set a specific election date, it stipulates that elections would be held at least three months after the law’s final approval. According to The Times of Israel, the timing of final passage remains uncertain, as it could be delayed for political reasons.

Based on the minimum timeline, elections would likely take place in mid- to late October. However, ultra-Orthodox parties have reportedly pushed for an earlier date, in early September.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, who was holding security consultations, did not take part in the vote.

Opposition figures welcomed the move. Yair Golan of The Democrats described it as “the beginning of the end for the worst government in Israel’s history.”

Some commentators have referred to the potential vote as the “October 7 elections,” framing them as a political test of Netanyahu’s leadership following the Hamas attack and the government’s subsequent decisions.

A recent Channel 12 poll suggested shifting political support within Netanyahu’s Likud party, with 42% of its 2022 voters either considering or already leaning toward other parties in the next election.

Another poll conducted on May 7 indicated that if elections were held at that time, parties opposing Netanyahu would collectively win 59 seats—just short of a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. The current governing coalition was projected to secure 51 seats, while Arab parties would win 10 seats.