Political Chaos in the Zionist Regime: Benjamin Netanyahu’s Struggle to Maintain Power

Kokcha News Agency: In recent weeks, internal tensions and political divisions in the occupied territories have reached a boiling point, leading to a serious crisis within Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition government.

With the departure of the ultra-Orthodox Haredi parties from the coalition, Netanyahu’s government has been reduced to a minority, leaving him in a precarious position.

Since Netanyahu’s return to power in 2022, the occupied territories have become a battleground for political infighting between rival right and left factions. Issues such as the judicial reform plan, the October 7th failure, and the QatarGate scandal have further exacerbated these divisions.

In the past three years, especially after the October 7th debacle, Netanyahu has done everything in his power to avoid early elections and the collapse of his government. However, recent developments in the political landscape of the Zionist regime have led analysts to believe that Netanyahu may now be inclined to call for early elections to navigate the current crisis.

Reasons Behind Netanyahu’s Push for Early Elections:

1. Preventing Further Decline in Popularity:
   Netanyahu’s popularity has been on a steady decline due to internal issues and international developments over the past three years. Polls show that his rivals, such as Benny Gantz and Naftali Bennett, are now more popular than him. Continuing the current trajectory of prolonged wars, economic problems, and political infighting could further erode Netanyahu’s support base. Early elections may be his way of preventing a complete collapse of his political standing.
2. Internal Political Pressures and Fragile Coalition:
   Netanyahu’s coalition in the Knesset has lost its majority following the departure of religious parties like Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ) over disagreements on exemptions for yeshiva students from military service. This fragile situation has left Netanyahu in a difficult position, and early elections may be his way of securing a stronger majority before the government completely falls apart.
3. Managing Corruption Allegations:
   Netanyahu is still facing ongoing legal battles related to corruption charges. Holding early elections at a time when he still has some public support could help him reduce judicial pressure or even push through judicial reforms that would benefit his legal standing.
4. Avoiding a State Inquiry Committee:
   Another pressing issue is the potential formation of a state inquiry committee to investigate the October 7th failure, which could lead to Netanyahu’s political demise. Early elections could delay the formation of such a committee, as the political focus would shift to the electoral campaign.
5. Exploiting Rivals’ Weaknesses:
   Polls suggest that Netanyahu’s Likud party still has a strong chance of winning an early election, while rivals like Gantz and Bennett may struggle to form a strong coalition. Netanyahu may see this as an opportunity to solidify his position before his rivals can regroup.
6. Managing Internal and External Crises:
   Netanyahu has historically used external crises (such as tensions with Iran or Hamas) to bolster his domestic standing. With the ongoing war in Gaza and sensitive negotiations over hostages, Netanyahu may believe that early elections will allow him to showcase his leadership and strengthen his position.
7. Escaping Criticism Over October 7th Failure:
   The widespread criticism of Netanyahu following the October 7th failure continues to haunt him. By calling for early elections before the second anniversary of the October 7th incident in 2026, Netanyahu hopes to avoid the intensified public backlash that could further damage his chances of re-election.

It appears that Netanyahu is leaning towards early elections due to a combination of factors, including the potential for increased popularity after military engagements, the fragility of his current coalition, the need to manage corruption allegations, and the looming threat of a state inquiry committee.

By calling for early elections, Netanyahu aims to capitalize on the current situation to strengthen his position and avoid future risks such as the collapse of his government or further declines in popularity. However, this decision is not without risks, especially given the public’s dissatisfaction with his handling of internal issues like the economy and the ongoing war in Gaza.