Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition survived an opposition attempt to dissolve parliament after lawmakers rejected a bill that could have paved the way for early elections.

Of the 120 members of the Knesset, 61 voted against the proposal and 53 supported it, AFP reported.

The opposition introduced the bill in hopes of triggering elections with the help of ultra-Orthodox parties, which are dissatisfied with Netanyahu over the controversial issue of military service for deeply religious Jews.

Although the opposition consists mainly of centrist and left-wing groups, the ultra-Orthodox parties that support Netanyahu's government had earlier threatened to back the proposal.

However, local media reported that most ultra-Orthodox lawmakers ultimately agreed not to support the motion to dissolve the government.

After the failed vote, the opposition will have to wait six months to introduce another bill.

Opposition faction leaders said their decision to bring the bill to the Knesset for a vote was “taken unanimously and is binding on all factions.”

They added that all opposition parties would freeze their legislative activity to focus on “bringing down the government.”

Netanyahu's coalition, formed in December 2022, is one of the most right-wing in the country's history. It includes two ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ).

The two parties have threatened to support the proposal for early elections amid disputes over compulsory military service. | BGNES