Netanyahu's Israel policy and coalition crisis

In late July 2026, veteran security commentator Yitzhak Barik warned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s response to the October 7 attack and the ensuing war had become a national disaster, criticising draft-exemption legislation for weakening the IDF and isolating Israel.

Philosophy professor Assaf Sharon further argued that Netanyahu has long opposed a Palestinian state, citing his history of opposing the Oslo process, settlement expansion, and financial pressure on the Palestinian Authority. Sharon suggested the Gaza war is being used to prevent moderate Palestinian governance.

By early August, Netanyahu faced an acute political crisis driven by simultaneous pressures from the United States and his own coalition. The Trump administration demanded a 14-point Gaza roadmap involving multinational forces, a condition Netanyahu must navigate to avoid jeopardizing a White House visit. Meanwhile, coalition partners Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have accused Netanyahu of providing inaccurate information, warning that any concessions would be viewed as a defeat.

Internal instability has deepened within the Likud party, where primary election fears threaten to cause significant splits. Additionally, disputes over the military conscription of ultra-Orthodox men have strained alliances with the United Torah Judaism and Shas parties. As Israel prepares for high-stakes elections, polls indicate Netanyahu’s bloc may win only about 50 seats, and centrist challenger Gadi Eisenkot is leading, potentially attracting religious voters seeking stability amid deep societal divisions.