When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets US President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago this week, the encounter will mark more than a diplomatic reunion.
For Netanyahu, it’s the opening act of his 2026 reelection bid, in which the US President is positioned to play a starring role.
Israel is officially scheduled to hold elections in October 2026, though that timeline could collapse sooner. Two immediate threats loom over Netanyahu’s coalition: the ultra-Orthodox conscription crisis and the March 2026 budget deadline. Either could trigger early elections.
Netanyahu’s sixth government — spanning 18 years across multiple premierships — has weathered extraordinary…
