For Netanyahu, the formation of the new government weakened the power of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. The far-right has repeatedly threatened to tear down the coalition if it goes ahead with a “reckless” deal to end the war in Gaza, bring hostages home or agree to a permanent ceasefire with Hezbollah.
The coalition can now survive without the six seats of Ben Gvir’s Jewish Power party, giving Netanyahu more room to maneuver.
Once seen as Likud’s rising star, Saar left the party and became one of the prime minister’s loudest critics, arguing that Netanyahu should not continue to serve while he battles corruption charges. He promoted unity by framing his decision to join the government as an act of patriotism.
However, he has drawn sharp criticism from some Israeli commentators who describe him as acting cynically for his own benefit.
“Saar’s decision to join the government is clearly a painful blow to many Israelis who think Netanyahu should go. Not just because he is on trial on criminal charges, but because he is the most corrupt, hedonistic and Israeli prime minister has never lied,” said Yedioth Ahronoth columnist Sima Kadmon.
She sees his actions as “stabilizing and strengthening the worst government in Israel’s history so that the original date of October 2026 for the next election now appears to be a realistic date.”
Certainly, the additional seats could help solve another problem facing the most far-right government in Israel’s history.
In this sensitive time of war, with the urgent need to expand the military’s ranks, differences of opinion are growing over the passage of a new conscription law.
Israel’s Supreme Court ruled in June that the state must begin conscripting ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminarians into the military. They are historically exempt and any such move would be fiercely opposed by the two ultra-Orthodox parties on which the coalition relies.
In July, deepening his personal feud with the prime minister, Yoav Gallant approved plans to start sending draft notices to 1,000 18- to 26-year-olds in the ultra-Orthodox community.
