Netanyahu Pivots to Budget Survival as "War Boost" Fails to Materialize in Polls

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu fights to avert a snap election by passing a $225 billion budget as polls predict a coalition loss despite the ongoing conflict with Iran.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 26, 2026, 9:05 AM EDT

Source: Reuters

The Budget as a Survival Mechanism

Under Israeli law, the failure of the Knesset (parliament) to pass a state budget by the end of March necessitates a new election within 90 days. While some of Netanyahu's confidants initially floated a June vote to capitalize on military successes against Iranian leadership, the lack of a decisive "rally 'round the flag" effect has shifted the strategy toward stabilization.

The Deadline: March 31, 2026.

The Cost of Support: Netanyahu has allocated approximately five billion shekels ($1.6 billion) to ultra-Orthodox schools to secure the backing of Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ) parties.

The Defence Burden: The total proposed budget stands at $225 billion, including a 32-billion-shekel surge in defense spending necessitated by the Iran conflict.

Stagnation in the Polls