Israel Election 2026: Netanyahu May Be Finished, but His Policies Toward Palestinians Will Likely Endure
Israel is heading toward elections in 2026, and many observers expect them to mark the end of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long political career. He has been a dominant figure in Israeli politics for decades. But even if he leaves office, his policies toward the Palestinians are likely to survive him.
That is the central point of the current debate. Netanyahu’s personal future looks uncertain. His approach to settlements, security and the Palestinians looks far more durable.
Why Netanyahu’s Career Looks Vulnerable
Netanyahu has led Israel for many years, making him the longest-serving prime minister in the country’s history. But his position is now weaker than at any point in recent memory.
He faces deep public divisions over his leadership and his character. Critics question his judgment and his handling of national crises. Even some former allies have grown uneasy. For many voters, the election is less about policy and more about whether Netanyahu should remain in power at all.
His opponents are united mainly by one thing: a desire to replace him. That unity may be enough to end his time in office. It does not mean they agree on much else.
Settlement Expansion Has Broad Support
Here is the key point that often gets lost. Many Israelis support settlement expansion in the West Bank, even those who are deeply critical of Netanyahu himself.
Settlements are Jewish communities built on land that Palestinians claim for a future state. They are a highly sensitive issue under international law and a major obstacle in peace talks. Yet within Israel, support for building and expanding them crosses party lines.
That support is not only about ideology. For some Israelis, settlements are seen as a security buffer. For others, they are a religious or historical right. For many, they are simply a fact of life that no government wants to reverse.
This is why analysts say removing Netanyahu will not remove the settlement enterprise. The policy has deep roots in Israeli society, not just in one leader’s agenda.
Opponents Want to Curb Settler Violence, Not End Settlements
Netanyahu’s rivals do differ from him in one important area. Many of them want to crack down on settler violence against Palestinians.
In recent years, attacks by extremist settlers on Palestinian villages and farmers have drawn international criticism. Some of Netanyahu’s opponents say the state must act firmly against this violence and restore order in the West Bank.
But here is the catch. Most of these same opponents still oppose a two-state solution, which would create an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. They want to reduce violence without changing the broader settlement policy.
That means a new government might be tougher on lawbreaking settlers. It is unlikely to freeze settlement growth or dismantle existing communities.
What a New Government Might Actually Change
If Netanyahu loses power, some changes are possible. A new leadership might slow the pace of settlement approvals. It might be more careful about announcing new construction at sensitive moments. It might cooperate more with international partners.
But significant change seems improbable. Settlement expansion has continued under governments of different political colors. The infrastructure, funding and political incentives behind it are well established.
For investors and observers watching the region, the message is clear. Israeli politics may be entering a new era. Israeli policy toward the Palestinians probably is not.
The Bottom Line
The 2026 election could end Netanyahu’s career. It is far less likely to end his legacy on the Palestinian issue. Many Israelis support settlement expansion, and most of Netanyahu’s opponents do not back a two-state solution.
New faces may take charge. The core direction of policy is likely to stay the same.
