Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will seek another term in the November 2026 parliamentary elections. His popularity, though, has seen a sharp decline in both conservative and democratic circles in the country over his approach to the Gaza War.
Netanyahu’s recent tenure has been defined by what Israelis see as an illegal judicial reform bill, the hostage crisis, the war in Gaza, the QatarGate scandal and corruption. In his latest interview, the Prime Minister was asked whether he intends to seek another term in office. He replied, “Yes.” When pressed on whether he expects to win, he again said, “Yes”.
The polarising right-wing Likud party leader, Netanyahu, served as prime minister from 1996 to 1999 and from 2009 to 2021. He came back to the office in December 2022 following the collapse of the ruling coalition.
Also Read: Netanyahu vows to disarm Hamas amid Gaza hostage talks
Netanyahu has said that he is “the only person capable of keeping Israel safe” and boasted about his close ties with US President Donald Trump. He has a hard-line stance on Hamas and initiated the 12-day air war with Iran in June, and might be seeking another war with Iran in the short span once the dust settles over the Gaza invasion.
The prime minister is currently on trial for three corruption charges. While he denied having a role in those cases, he has, however, tried to make controversial changes to the constitution in Israel, fuelling more speculation.
He has also pushed to limit the powers of Israel’s Supreme Court, triggering mass protests.
Also Read: Trump criticises Netanyahu as Hamas rejects disarmament plan
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