A growing number of Israelis suspect that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may seek to postpone the 2026 general elections under the pretext of a national emergency. According to a Channel 12 poll aired on May 23, 50 per cent of respondents believe the government could cancel the scheduled vote, while only 35 per cent consider such a move unlikely.
The question gained urgency after Netanyahu, during a press conference on May 21, was asked why he had not resigned over the October 7 Hamas-led attack or called early elections to seek a fresh mandate. Although the premier insisted the elections would be held "as scheduled," he added pointedly, "I will do everything so they don’t happen before then." He later clarified that elections would "not take place after the scheduled date," citing Israel’s democratic values.
The same poll indicates that public trust in Netanyahu’s motives and leadership is waning. When asked to identify the prime minister’s main goal, 55 per cent said retaining power. Just 36 per cent said his priority was freeing the hostages, and the figure remained nearly unchanged when “winning the war” was substituted.
A majority — 53 per cent — believe political considerations are preventing another hostage deal.
Only 34 per cent of respondents said Netanyahu had convinced them during his latest press conference, while 62 per cent were unconvinced. Furthermore, in relation to the “Qatargate” scandal — an ongoing investigation into Netanyahu aides allegedly lobbying for Qatar — 58 per cent said they do not believe his claims of ignorance. Among his coalition’s voters, however, 58 per cent did believe him.
Despite this growing dissatisfaction, Netanyahu’s political instincts have helped him navigate crises before. Rather than yield to the formal opposition, he has co-opted key rivals through cabinet appointments, weakening challenges from within. The vast Jewish majority appreciates his handling of the war, notwithstanding liberal criticism about humanitarian atrocities and the failure to bring back hostages.
Another advantage for Netanyahu is the fact that the political opposition in the country remains divided among right-wing critics of his leadership, centrist-liberal Zionists hoping for a secular future and Arab parties demanding equal rights. As protests intensify, particularly over judicial reforms and the fate of the hostages, figures like Naftali Bennett and Yair Golan are gaining traction, though a unified alternative remains elusive.
Netanyahu has dismissed calls for early elections or a commission of inquiry. "Do you want elections now?" he asked defiantly. "When all our soldiers and commanders will be dressing up as lawyers instead of arming themselves?" He concluded: "We are democrats. We believe the public has the right to choose."