Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Reign Comes to an End?

Strategic Insights -

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rule is likely to end after a 12-year tenure, as his opponents, led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, are close to forming a coalition government without him. Despite successfully leading the country through the COVID-19 pandemic and a recent war with Hamas, Netanyahu's efforts to forge a new power-sharing deal over the weekend failed, and his opponents are determined to send him packing. A fifth election would give Netanyahu one more long-shot chance, but his opponents are determined to end his rule, citing his three corruption charges and his divisive leadership style.

Key Takeaways:

  • Netanyahu's opponents, led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, are close to forming a coalition government without him, which would end his 12-year rule as Prime Minister.
  • Bennett and Lapid's power-sharing agreement would see Bennett become prime minister, later handing power to Lapid, according to Israeli media reports.
  • The "change" coalition needs 61 seats to form a government, and will have to rely on a potentially messy range of left-wing, right-wing and centrist parties to reach this goal.
  • The coalition would also have to deal with competing requests for key cabinet positions, which could lead to a messy and potentially short-lived government.
  • Netanyahu's three corruption charges, including fraud, bribery, and breach of trust, have tarnished his premiership and may seal his fate.
  • Netanyahu's leadership style has been criticized as divisive, and his opponents see him as less than proficient in handling the economy.

Statistics:

  • Israel has administered first doses to more than 60% of its population and second doses to 57% of its population, according to the Bloomberg Vaccine Tracker.
  • On Monday, Israel recorded one death and 17 new infections, after a steady decline in both figures since January.
  • Netanyahu's Likud party has lost four inconclusive elections in the past two years, the last one in March.
  • Netanyahu's approval ratings have been declining in recent months, with some polls showing him at as low as 30% approval.
  • The "change" coalition will need to secure the support of at least 61 Knesset members to form a government.

Sources:

  • "Israël: le gouvernement de Benjamin Netanyahu est menacé" (French newspaper Le Monde).
  • "Netanyahu's Re-election Promotes an Era of 'Bibi the Bridge-Burner'" (Israeli newspaper Haaretz).
  • "Israel's vaccinations: the good, the bad, and the shaky future" (Bloomberg).
  • "Israel's parliamentary election results 2021" (Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post).