Coalition prepares for all-night Knesset session as opposition readies filibuster

Coalition leaders are preparing for a potential all-night Knesset session, warning the ruling bloc’s 64 lawmakers in a text message to be on deck until the morning.

“At the moment, we estimate the plenum will continue until morning,” reads the message. Parallel to the floor debate, “the Finance Committee will continue voting during plenum time, except when there is a vote in the plenum.”

The Finance Committee is currently working on preparing budgetary legislation, which must be completed on a tight deadline. If the budget doesn’t pass into law by May 29, the government will automatically dissolve.

Long Monday evenings have become a regular feature of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s current government, with the Yair Lapid-led opposition gumming up legislative wheels with filibusters.

The most prominent piece of legislation expected to come to a vote today is a reinstatement of a plan to finalize tax credits for working families in 2024, according to a draft plenum agenda.

The opposition is also expected to pose three no-confidence measures against the government, all of which are expected to be easily defeated.