Report: Netanyahu preparing for early elections

“Fake news” – The Likud denies claims that Prime Minister Netanyahu is quietly laying the groundwork for early elections.

By World Israel News Staff

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is mulling dissolving the Knesset and calling snap elections, according to a report published Wednesday, amid concerns that his government may not be able to overcome the ongoing crisis over the ultra-Orthodox draft law.

Citing a senior government official who spoke on condition of anonymity, Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Netanyahu has recently instructed members of his inner circle to prepare for early elections.

Israel’s last general election was held on November 1, 2022, and by statute the election for the 26th Knesset must take place by October 27, 2026.

Publicly, Netanyahu and senior Likud officials have repeatedly insisted that the government both intends and is able to serve out its full four years, following four back-to-back Knessets which failed to last even half a four-year term.

Even in private talks with lawmakers, Netanyahu has expressed confidence the government will remain stable through the end of its term.

However, the prime minister has signaled to his confidants that the government may not survive its spring session, during which it will be obliged to pass an annual spending bill by March 31.

In addition, the government will face growing pressure from ultra-Orthodox parties to pass a long-delayed bill reinstating draft deferments for full-time yeshiva students.

According to the report, Netanyahu has already put together a campaign team to manage the Likud’s 2026 Knesset run.

“He tells everyone that elections will be held on time because he does not want discipline to erode or a sense that the government is at the end of its rope,” the government official told Yedioth Ahronoth.

“He does want to serve out the full term and does not want to lose even a single day in office, but in practice Likud is already preparing for the possibility that the Knesset will be forced to dissolve soon.”

The Likud party denied the report, issuing a statement which referred to the claim as “fake news.”

“The report about an intention to move up the election date is complete fake news. We will pass the state budget and the draft law, the government will serve out its full term, and the elections will be held as scheduled.”