Khaberni - Political sources in Tel Aviv revealed on Wednesday that a team of advisors close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering the possibility of heading for early elections to be held within three months, specifically in February (Shaban) 2026, instead of waiting until the legally supposed date in October (Tishreen Al-Awwal) next.
According to the sources, those close to Netanyahu are seeking to exploit the escalating crisis within the "deep state," following the arrest of the military prosecutor Yifat Tomer Yerushalmi and her deputy and six other senior officials in the judiciary, as well as the outbreak of a major corruption case in "Histadrut" (the General Federation of Labor Unions), a stubborn adversary of the governments and the right.
Supporters of the idea of early elections believe that Netanyahu's competitors are currently in the worst possible situation; the public has lost its trust in the army, the military prosecution, and everything it represents in the judiciary.
After the major corruption scandal in "Histadrut," which led to the arrest of about 70 union and political figures, the opposition is in a pitiable state; the unions are counted on the Labor Party and other opposition parties.
Exploiting the confrontation with the judicial system
As reported by the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation "Kan 11" on Tuesday evening, Netanyahu has recently discussed with several of his close associates the option of heading for early elections, in an attempt to exploit the military prosecution issue to support his electoral campaign.
The channel reported, quoting close associates of Netanyahu, that he sees in this crisis a "precious electoral opportunity" that could enable him to mobilize his right-wing base, and exploit the confrontation with the judiciary to his political advantage.
According to "Kan 11," Netanyahu is considering heading for elections within about three months, indicating that some of his close associates recommended contesting the elections as soon as possible and leading the campaign under the slogan of confronting the judicial system.
According to these estimates, linking the issue of the military prosecutor and the battle against the judiciary could give the "Likud" party the best possible electoral outcome.
Opponents fear wasting an opportunity
However, a number of these advisors oppose the idea of early elections, believing that it could waste a whole year still available until the original election date at the end of October next, during which - according to their estimates - he could consolidate his rule, and pass several laws in his favor, such as a bill that limits his presence in the court that is trying him on corruption charges, finding a legal way out that could stop his trial on corruption cases before the end of the current government's term, or passing special legislation that comes into effect after the next elections, which might be difficult to achieve in case of swift elections.
The idea also meets opposition from Netanyahu's allies in the far right, led by Bezalel Smotrich and those with him, who see early elections as shooting themselves in the foot, and say that every day the right-wing government remains in power is a political and military gain; in their view, the war has not yet ended and has not achieved its goals.
They believe that continuing the current situation allows seizing the opportunity to destroy "Hamas" in Gaza and "Hezbollah" in Lebanon, delivering more strikes to Iran, and completing "reforms in the judiciary" and changes in the governance system, while entering elections would hinder these tasks.
