Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is working to pass a state budget before the March 31 deadline in order to avoid early elections that polls suggest he could lose. Although some of his allies initially considered triggering a snap vote amid the war with Iran, the conflict has not significantly improved his coalition's standing in public surveys. Recent polling shows his bloc falling short of a parliamentary majority despite continued support for the war effort.

The war, now nearing its fifth week, has shifted public focus from Gaza to Iran, where there is broader national consensus. However, voter preferences remain largely unchanged since the October 2023 Hamas attack, with the electorate split evenly between Netanyahu's coalition and the opposition. Analysts say the prolonged conflict and lack of a decisive outcome have limited any political boost Netanyahu might have expected.

As defense spending rises sharply, the government is racing to secure enough parliamentary support for the budget. Netanyahu's coalition has allocated billions in additional funds to ultra Orthodox allies to ensure their backing, despite criticism from opposition lawmakers who accuse him of prioritizing political survival. At the same time, Netanyahu continues to face a long running corruption trial, adding further uncertainty to his political future.