Israel will delay municipal election by three months due to Hamas war

The bill is now waiting for government approval and then will be voted on in Knesset.

By ARIELLA MARSDEN
Updated: OCTOBER 11, 2023 15:43
An Israeli soldier chooses a ballot from behind a voting booth at an army base near the southern city of Ofakim March 15 (photo credit: REUTERS)
An Israeli soldier chooses a ballot from behind a voting booth at an army base near the southern city of Ofakim March 15
(photo credit: REUTERS)

The Interior Ministry published a bill draft on Wednesday to delay Israel's municipal elections that were set to take place on October 31 by three months.

The bill seeks to reschedule the elections for January 30.

According to the bill, the elections process will be frozen for the three months and any work completed by deadlines that have already passed will continue to be valid.

What happens now?

"Due to the war the State of Israel is currently fighting, and the difficulties in holding elections during this time, we suggest delaying the elections for three months," wrote the ministry.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir during a discussion and a vote in the assembly hall of the Knesset in Jerusalem. March 6, 2023. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir during a discussion and a vote in the assembly hall of the Knesset in Jerusalem. March 6, 2023. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

A large press conference that was set to take place on Monday regarding the elections was cancelled due to the war.

The bill is now waiting for government approval and then will be voted on in Knesset.



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