TEL AVIV, Israel — The Israeli parliament approved the state budget on Tuesday, bolstering Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government. This development provides the embattled leader with a period of potential political stability, despite growing public discontent over the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The budget vote was considered a crucial test for Netanyahu’s coalition, which includes ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox factions. These parties secured substantial funding for their constituencies in exchange for supporting the budget. Failure to pass the budget by March 31 would have legally triggered the government’s collapse and new elections.
With the budget’s passage, Netanyahu secures a period of relative political calm, potentially allowing his government to remain in power until the end of its term in late 2026. This is a significant political achievement for Netanyahu, who is facing widespread protests regarding his decision to resume the Gaza war while hostages remain in Hamas’s captivity, as well as criticism of his government’s policies.
The budget vote may also influence potential ceasefire negotiations. According to Gayil Talshir, a political scientist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Netanyahu might feel more inclined to pursue a lasting ceasefire agreement with Hamas. This is because his political allies, who oppose ending the war, have little motivation to initiate new elections while their approval ratings are low.
However, Talshir added that the vote does not guarantee Netanyahu will work towards ending the war. She anticipates he will continue to advance his ultranationalist partners’ agenda to maintain their loyalty and strengthen the nationalist right wing in preparation for future elections.
“Netanyahu is always thinking about the next elections,” Talshir said. “His goal is to make sure the extreme right will be in his government now and in the future.”
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