Israeli Lawmakers Approve Budget, Boosting Netanyahu Coalition/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israel’s parliament passed the state budget, stabilizing Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition through 2026. The vote averts snap elections and strengthens Netanyahu politically amid rising criticism over the Gaza war. Ultra-Orthodox and ultranationalist allies secured major funding in return for support.
Netanyahu Budget Victory Quick Looks
- Israeli parliament passed state budget ahead of March 31 deadline.
- Budget passage prevents government collapse and delays new elections.
- Netanyahu’s coalition, including ultra-Orthodox and ultranationalist parties, backed the deal.
- Funding concessions were key to coalition partners’ support.
- Budget win could grant Netanyahu political calm until late 2026.
- Mass protests continue over resumed Gaza war and hostage crisis.
- Legal and security chief firings have fueled further public backlash.
- Analysts say budget frees Netanyahu to consider ceasefire options.
- Yet he may deepen alliance with far-right partners to secure future support.
- Netanyahu seen prioritizing long-term political survival and nationalist backing.
Israeli Lawmakers Approve Budget, Boosting Netanyahu Coalition
Deep Look
Israeli lawmakers approved the national budget on Tuesday, granting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a vital political reprieve as his coalition grapples with public unrest over the ongoing war in Gaza and controversial internal decisions. The Knesset’s budget approval ensures that Netanyahu’s government avoids collapse, which would have been triggered automatically had the budget not passed by the legal deadline of March 31.
The vote secures months—if not more than a year—of political stability for Netanyahu, whose coalition includes powerful ultra-Orthodox and ultranationalist factions. These parties secured significant financial allocations for their constituents in exchange for their support of the budget, a deal that bolsters Netanyahu’s grip on power at a time of growing public discontent.
“This buys him time,” said Gayil Talshir, a political scientist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. “With this, he avoids elections and can begin thinking about the next phase of political survival.”
The approved budget is a crucial win for Netanyahu. Facing mass protests over his decision to restart military operations in Gaza, despite ongoing hostage situations, and backlash from recent dismissals of top legal and security officials, Netanyahu now gains breathing room. The budget locks in his coalition’s support, potentially allowing him to serve uninterrupted until the scheduled end of the government’s term in late 2026—an unusual feat in Israel’s often turbulent political environment.
Politically, the budget could also influence how Netanyahu manages the war in Gaza. With coalition allies secured for now, he may have the flexibility to pursue a longer-term ceasefire without immediate fear of political retaliation. However, Talshir cautioned that Netanyahu is unlikely to shift direction unless politically advantageous.
“The fact that his far-right partners are polling poorly makes them less inclined to provoke elections,” Talshir explained. “But Netanyahu’s focus remains on securing the loyalty of the nationalist right, both now and for any future electoral campaign.”
She added that Netanyahu is unlikely to pivot away from policies favored by his ultranationalist partners, who oppose a ceasefire and favor stronger actions in Gaza. Instead, she predicts he will double down on their agenda to reinforce his coalition’s stability and shore up support on the political right.
“Netanyahu is always thinking about the next elections,” she said. “His goal is to make sure the extreme right will be in his government now and in the future.”
As Israel’s war with Hamas enters its 18th month and public confidence in government leadership continues to waver, the passing of the budget gives Netanyahu space—but also ties his hands politically to the far-right elements of his base, whose priorities are increasingly shaping national policy.
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