Signs of Netanyahu’s Decline Emerge Amid Political Struggles and Internal Party Conflict
In early August 2026, cracks began to show in Benjamin Netanyahu’s political dominance, signaling a potential end to his era. Despite previous predictions of his downfall that proved premature, recent developments suggest a growing erosion of his power. Netanyahu faced setbacks including the failure to influence former U.S. President Donald Trump to attack Iran, and complications arising from advancing a Gaza agreement that alienated both right-wing allies and left-wing critics. This agreement risked portraying Netanyahu as weak to his right-wing base while provoking opposition from the left and Gaza border residents.
Polls reflected Netanyahu’s weakening position, with 70 Knesset members opposing his continued rule and his attempts to label opposition members as "new Arabs" failing to gain traction. Efforts to crack down on draft evaders in the military also backfired, revealing contradictions in Netanyahu’s stance and exposing internal party scandals, including the public misconduct of Likud member Hanokh Milvitsky.
Netanyahu’s challenges extended to his own party’s electoral list, which he found unattractive and ineffective. Despite securing eight reserved spots on the list, he struggled to recruit high-profile candidates, resorting to unlikely figures without success. The Likud party’s internal court further undermined him by blocking incumbent MKs and ministers from running through regional primaries, a move seen as a sign of the party preparing for a post-Netanyahu future.
Frustrated, Netanyahu sought external legal intervention against the Likud court’s decision, ironically turning to the Tel Aviv District Court despite his long-standing criticism of the judiciary. This unprecedented step highlights the depth of his political crisis. Observers are now watching whether the first week of August will be remembered as the moment Netanyahu’s empire began to crumble, as polls and internal dissent continue to mount ahead of upcoming elections.
