Netanyahu Faces Potential Political End After Recent Electoral Defeats
Israel's longest-serving leader loses parliamentary majority amid shifting US political support.
1Electoral Setback in Knesset
Benjamin Netanyahu faces a critical juncture as his political bloc secured only 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset. This loss of a parliamentary majority leaves him without a realistic path to form a government. Consequently, President Isaac Herzog has granted the mandate to former general Gadi Eisenkot to assemble a new coalition.
2US Policy and Aid
The political landscape shifted significantly following the US midterm elections, where the Republican Party suffered major losses. President Donald Trump announced the termination of $4 billion in annual aid to Israel starting in 2027. US officials have expressed frustration, blaming Netanyahu for influencing Trump’s aggressive military stance against Iran during his term.
3The Mandate for Change
Gadi Eisenkot now has 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to form a government. His primary objective is uniting factions that share little common ground beyond the necessity of removing Netanyahu. If successful, this transition would strip Netanyahu of his premiership and potentially expose him to an independent inquiry regarding October 7.
4Legacy of Right-Wing Alliances
Netanyahu’s 2022 coalition brought far-right figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich into central government roles. These leaders oversaw significant expansion in settlement construction and financial restrictions on the Palestinian Authority. Peace Now reported that plans for nearly 28,000 housing units advanced in 2025, marking a substantial increase over previous annual records.
5Regional Vision and Strategy
Netanyahu has long promoted a vision of a 'new Middle East' defined by Israeli military superiority rather than regional collaboration. By framing Iran and a perceived 'radical Sunni axis' led by Turkiye as existential threats, he maintained a permanent state of emergency. This strategy aimed to make his leadership indispensable for national security.
6Shifting Political DNA
Over three decades, Netanyahu has fundamentally altered Israel’s political landscape, effectively marginalizing the left and shifting the center further to the right. Most current parties oppose a Palestinian state and support permanent security control over the West Bank and Gaza. This ideological transformation complicates the efforts of any successor government to reform.
7The Risk of Accountability
Netanyahu’s potential removal poses significant legal and political risks, particularly concerning the security failures of October 7. Without the leverage of the premiership, he faces the prospect of an independent investigation into his administration. His attempts to discredit election results by blaming Palestinian-led parties were rejected by Israel’s official election commission.
8Future of Israeli Leadership
At 77, Netanyahu faces a weary electorate and a Washington administration seeking distance from his policies. While he has survived numerous political crises throughout his career, the current combination of domestic parliamentary isolation and international pressure suggests his era may be concluding. The coming weeks will determine if he can survive this challenge.
Original article: Arab News — Netanyahu Faces Potential Political End After Recent Electoral Defeats