Benjamin Netanyahu will compete in the upcoming general election, his Likud Party announced, following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump questioning whether the Israeli Prime Minister would seek another term.
The Likud Party issued a concise statement confirming Netanyahu's intention to run and expressing confidence in his victory. Although the election has not been officially scheduled, it is mandated to take place by October. Earlier, Jonathan Karl, Chief Washington Correspondent for ABC News, reported on X that Trump had indicated uncertainty about Netanyahu's future candidacy, stating, "I don't know, he's had an amazing career. Does he want to continue?"
This election will be the first held since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which marked Israel's most significant security lapse and led to the subsequent Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu's current term, since his return to power in December 2022, has been characterized by significant challenges, including large-scale anti-government protests preceding the conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
Recent opinion polls have consistently suggested that Netanyahu's governing coalition would not secure a parliamentary majority in the next election. A poll released on June 9 by the Israel Democracy Institute, a think tank based in Jerusalem, indicated that 61% of the Israeli public believes Netanyahu should not run for re-election. Concurrently, other polls suggest that a potential coalition of opposition parties may also fall short of a majority unless they align with Arab parties, a prospect some opposition leaders have previously dismissed.
Officials from both the United States and Israel assert that Trump and Netanyahu maintain a close relationship, despite occasional strains. These tensions have surfaced in recent weeks, notably with Trump's call for Israel to limit military actions in Lebanon while the U.S. pursues negotiations with Tehran. Last week, Trump acknowledged using strong language about Netanyahu during a phone call but reiterated that they generally have a good rapport. Trump has also previously urged Israel's president to pardon Netanyahu in relation to ongoing corruption charges, which Netanyahu denies.
