Explained: Can Benjamin Netanyahu Become Israel's Prime Minister Once Again

Following the resignation of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and the dissolution of Parliament on Thursday, Israel announced a general election for November as former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to win re-election.

AP

Benjamin Netanyahu also delivered a speech to the Knesset. He discussed his achievements over his twelve years in power in a proud and bitter half-hour speech, and he foresaw existential dangers for Israel under the new coalition administration. He also emphasised the impending return to power of his right-leaning Likud party.

How did Israel reach this cusp?

Bennett and Yair Lapid, who will serve as the caretaker Prime Minister, came to power in June of last year, ending Netanyahu's record 12-year term in office and nearly three years of political impasse.

Bennett and Lapid formed a coalition government with a wide mix of hard-right, liberal, and Arab parties, but they just lost their slim majority due to defections. They moved to dissolve parliament, calling for the sixth election in less than four years, rather than waiting for the opposition, led by Netanyahu.

Yair Lapid | AFP

The eight-party coalition that came together to remove Netanyahu and break years of political gridlock was an ambitious attempt at Israeli administration, but it eventually had troubles while carrying out its goals.

An agreement to concentrate on areas of consensus rather than contentious topics like the occupation of Palestinian territories failed. The coalition's slim majority was wrecked by a defection in April. Naftali Bennett was forced to exert pressure on other shaky coalition members to avoid derailing crucial legislation or topple his precarious administration.

Moreover, in order to further paralyse his competitors, Netanyahu took advantage of the coalition's lack of cohesion by urging the opposition to vote against any bill the coalition put up, as cited by Guardian.

Can Netanyahu come back to power?

File Photo

The answer is still pretty unclear. It's uncertain whether the environment has altered sufficiently over the past year to provide Netanyahu a boost. His conservative Likud party is now leading in the pre-election polls and is the largest parliamentary faction.

However, no party has ever achieved an absolute majority in Israel, so he would need the backing of other parties. In the four elections Israel had between 2019 and 2021, his prior governments relied on smaller right-wing and religious groups, but he was unable to secure sufficient support.

Netanyahu is currently facing corruption charges, which he firmly rejects, including allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Although the accusations have strengthened the opposition's unity against him, his base of followers has remained steadfast.

The Campaign in Israel

The political landscape could change before the election on November 1. Political outsiders or unexpected partnerships might upend the landscape. Furthermore, the outcome could be decided by a single small party's success or failure to reach the required number of votes to gain entry into parliament.

Benjamin Netanyahu | AP

Netanyahu, who usually extols his security and economic prowess, has stated that addressing the recent rise in living costs, which is a phenomena being felt all over the world, will be his top priority. He blamed Bennett and Lapid's administration for the issue.

According to a survey that was broadcast on popular Channel 12 TV on Wednesday, Netanyahu would win the election with a modest lead and control of 58 of the 120 seats in parliament, falling just short of a majority. With another six seats going to an Arab party unlikely to support either side, the parties in the present alliance were projected to win 56 seats.

According to a poll conducted on June 21 by the same channel, 47% of Israelis think Netanyahu would make the best prime minister, 31% think Lapid would, 4% said neither, and 18% were unsure.

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