Could a potential snap election in Israel be the end for Netanyahu?

WorldPolitics
20 May 2026 • 10:11 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Could a potential snap election in Israel be the end for Netanyahu?

  • Israel's parliament has approved a bill for its dissolution, paving the way for a general election where polls suggest Benjamin Netanyahu would lose.
  • The preliminary vote for an early ballot passed almost unanimously, with final approval potentially taking weeks, leading to an election possibly in September or by late October.
  • The government faces renewed instability after a key ultra-Orthodox Jewish faction withdrew support, citing the coalition's failure to enact legislation exempting their community from compulsory military service.
  • Opposition parties, including a new alliance “Together” formed by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, see a fresh opportunity to oust Netanyahu's administration.
  • Public discontent stems from the October 7 attack, ongoing conflicts, and their impact on Israel's economy and international standing, with challengers campaigning on messages of healing divisions.

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