His Political End?
Netanyahu's End? "Facing Imminent Government Collapse and New Elections"
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s apology to Qatar over an Israeli strike, and his embrace of President Trump’s 21-point Gaza plan, provoked furious reactions from his right wing partners, raising the very likely prospect of an early election and a meltdown of the coalition within weeks.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing the fiercest challenge yet to his fragile coalition, after apologizing to Qatar and embracing President Donald Trump’s 21-point plan for Gaza.
A senior Likud official admitted the government may have reached “the end of the road,” with early elections possible as soon as March 2026.
Right-wing partners Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened to bolt if Netanyahu moves forward, stripping him of his razor-thin majority. And signaling what may very well be the end of Netanyahu's 40 year political career.
The political firestorm erupted after Netanyahu expressed regret to Qatar for an Israeli strike in Doha, aimed at Hamas leadership, which also killed Qatari personnel, and only became greater following his full acceptance of the 21 step plan.
Finance Minister Smotrich blasted the move as “a disgraceful apology to a terror sponsor,” while attacking the 21 point plan as a defeat. From the opposition, Avigdor Liberman said it was “unbelievable Netanyahu apologized to the Qataris but never to the Israeli people.” Even far-left Yair Golan called it “humiliation,” and Gilad Kariv accused Netanyahu of “tail between the legs” politics.
Trump’s proposal outlines a multi-step path to Gaza reconstruction and regional engagement, but critics warn it risks eroding Israeli control and repeating the failures of the 2005 disengagement. Supporters argue it could broaden peace ties and secure stronger U.S. guarantees.
Within Netanyahu’s camp, Education Minister Yoav Kisch praised the deal as securing ‘all war goals,’ while Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi rejected it outright, vowing never to accept a Palestinian state.
With his coalition fractured and his political base enraged, Netanyahu is walking the tightest rope since October 7, trying to sell Trump’s plan abroad while fighting for survival at home. His political career now depends on two allies whose red lines he may already have crossed.
Whether he can hold his government together may decide not only the fate of the plan — but his own grip on power.