As Israel heads to its fifth election in less than four years, the role of Arab parties in government has emerged as a lightning rod in the coming vote, possibly driving a further rightward shift in the electorate and giving a boost to the fortunes of former premier Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israeli lawmakers voted Thursday to dissolve the parliament, known as the Knesset, and set Nov. 1 as the date for the next election. Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, a centrist, is expected to become the country’s caretaker prime minister at midnight under a coalition agreement. He will remain so until a new government is formed.
