The confidence vote could ultimately also affect who leads Mr. Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party. Mr. Netanyahu has led the party for all but six of the last 28 years — 15 of which he has spent as prime minister. Once Mr. Netanyahu leaves government office, his authority over rivals for the party leadership will diminish because he can no longer promote party allies to coveted ministerial positions, or demote rivals. That will give greater momentum to internal critics who feel the party could have remained in office had Mr. Netanyahu stepped down from the leadership earlier and allowed a colleague to take over. Three rival right-wing parties might have joined forces with Likud, giving the party a majority in Parliament, had Mr. Netanyahu not been in charge.

Source: International New York Times June 13, 2021 09:00 UTC