For years, supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu treated any talk of his departure as forbidden. Now, behind closed doors in Likud, ministers, MKs, local branch heads and senior activists are increasingly asking whether he will retire, who might replace him, and when that could happen. A recent Friday poll on Channel 12’s “Ulpan Shishi” found Nir Barkat leading the succession race.
The article says the discussion has intensified because of Netanyahu’s health and legal troubles. It points to a pacemaker, cancer treatment, radiation, and frequent hospital visits, alongside the court case that is weighing on him most. His cross-examination in the corruption trial ended last week, with additional testimony completion still possible, and the author says he looked bad on the stand, especially in Case 1000, where he could not explain receiving gifts worth nearly 700,000 shekels in violation of the law, and in Case 4000, where he did not provide convincing answers about benefits worth hundreds of millions of shekels allegedly granted to Shaul Elovitch in exchange for favorable coverage on Walla.
The piece argues that Netanyahu knows his position is precarious. It says an election now is a major gamble, because if he loses, his leverage to secure a favorable plea deal would sharply weaken. As a sitting MK in opposition, the article says, he would have far less pressure on prosecutors and the attorney general, while a deal tied to retirement could be more attractive for him than risking a conviction that could lead to prison.
Polling adds to the concern. In a Menachem Lazar poll for Maariv, Likud won 22 seats, Netanyahu’s bloc held 49, and the anti-Netanyahu bloc reached 61. In a Mano Geva poll for Channel 12, Likud also got 22, Netanyahu’s bloc 51, and the opposition bloc 59. The article says the blocs are rigid and barely moving. On Monday, Netanyahu said during his testimony, “They set a trap for me, I fell into it.” The article concludes that Likud is anxious because Netanyahu’s choice could determine whether the party, and many of its current lawmakers and ministers, survive the next election, which is expected around October 20.
