Israel's Netanyahu Government Pushes Controversial Bills Before Parliament Recess

Kathmandu. The government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is intensifying efforts to pass controversial bills from parliament to fulfill political commitments made with its coalition partners ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections in October in Israel. The opposition has strongly opposed the government's attempt to advance priority laws within a limited timeframe as the parliament (Knesset) is set to adjourn with the end of its summer session in a few days.

There are currently seven important bills on the agenda of the 120-member Knesset. These bills have been put forward as priorities by various parties in the ruling coalition. It is analyzed that Netanyahu wants to strengthen the coalition further by passing these bills and go into the elections on October 27 with a strong political base. However, current opinion polls indicate that it will not be easy for him to return to power.