Israel dissolves parliament, declares new elections in October

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid agreed a short while ago to dissolve the Israeli parliament next week. With this, the country will see its fifth election in just three-and-a-half years. In a joint statement, Bennett and Lapid said they will bring on Monday a proposal to disperse the Knesset, which means that new elections will take place at the end of October.

According to the rotation agreement, in the event the government falls because of Yamina rebel members, alternate Prime Minister Lapid will take over as head of the interim government. The joint statement noted that "Once approved, the rotation will be performed in an orderly manner. Prime Minister Bennett is now talking to party leaders." While serving as prime minister, Lapid will continue to serve as foreign minister. Bennett will serve as alternate prime minister.