Israel faces new elections in March with an uncertain outcome
Harold Halpern
In the midst of trying to control the COVID-19 virus and its economic damage, unemployment and high increase in poverty, the Knesset – the parliament of modern Israel – could not agree on a budget for 2020 and 2021.
This failure caused an automatic dissolution of the Knesset and new elections in March 2021, which will be the fourth in two years. The existing government, with Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister, will serve as a holdover, with limited powers, until a new government is in place.
The government, now dissolved, was sworn in on May 20, 2020. It was a so-called unity government consisting of members of Likud, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of the Blue White party led by Benny Gantz, two religious parties and members of small parties.