Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said that holding elections at this stage would be a “mistake”, as his government faces the prospect of a snap vote if it fails to pass the national budget.
The budget is scheduled for its first reading in the Knesset on Wednesday, where Netanyahu’s coalition depends on the uncertain support of a former ally to maintain its majority.
“Of course I’m concerned… we are in a very sensitive situation,” Netanyahu said at a televised press conference.
Failure to approve the budget by March 31 would automatically trigger early elections.
“I think the last thing we need right now is elections. We will have elections later this year, but holding them now would be a mistake,” he said.
Under Israeli law, general elections are due by November.
Netanyahu, leader of the right-wing Likud party, is Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, having spent more than 18 years in office across multiple terms since 1996. He has already indicated his intention to seek another term.
In the last elections, Likud won 32 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while its ultra-Orthodox allies secured 18 seats and a far-right alliance won 14.
Although some ultra-Orthodox partners formally exited the coalition last year, they have so far stopped short of bringing down the government. However, they have been reluctant to back the budget unless Netanyahu fulfils a promise to pass legislation exempting their community from mandatory military service.
Netanyahu’s current term began amid controversy over a proposed judicial overhaul, which sparked months of mass protests across Israel. Since the outbreak of the Gaza war following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, he has also faced growing criticism over his handling of the conflict.
On Monday, Israeli forces recovered the remains of the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza, Ran Gvili, marking the end of a painful chapter that has gripped the country since the war began. (Agencies)
