Netanyahu hints at stepping down after Trump’s term, reshaping Israel’s 2026 race

Benjamin Netanyahu told supporters that his political agenda will be wrapped up within the remaining two years of Donald Trump’s administration, hinting at a future resignation. This is the first time in twelve prime-ministerial campaigns that Netanyahu has attached a concrete deadline to his own tenure. The statement comes ahead of Israel’s 2026 election, where voter turnout is expected to be among the highest in decades and several veteran politicians, including Lieberman, Deri, Eisenkot and Yair Golan, are also nearing retirement age.

Campaign dynamics are further complicated by coalition calculations, especially the role of Ofer Winter’s party and other Haredi factions that could swing the balance of power. Netanyahu’s move is seen as an attempt to reassure swing voters that his major foreign-policy goals will be completed before he steps aside. Meanwhile, opposition figures are positioning themselves for either a minority government or a broader coalition, while U.S. politics, particularly the upcoming Michigan primary, are being watched for their impact on Israel’s diplomatic environment.