Knesset disbands, sets elections for November 1; Lapid to become PM at midnight

Israel’s Knesset voted to disband itself Thursday morning, a little over 14 months after it convened and a year after the government was sworn in, sending the country reeling toward its fifth election since 2019, set for November 1.

Parliament voted to disperse 92–0.

Foreign Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid will formally succeed Prime Minister Naftali Bennett as premier at midnight between Thursday and Friday. He will hold the post through the elections and until a new coalition is formed.

After the vote, Bennett and Lapid embraced and switched places, so that Lapid could sit in the premier’s seat. A low-key formal handover ceremony from Bennett to Lapid was set for Thursday afternoon.

Bennett will take the title of alternate prime minister and Lapid will retain the post of foreign minister. The rest of the government’s ministers will stay in place, and lawmakers will largely shift from legislating to campaigning. READ MORE