The State of Israel is set to pass its budget, clearing the way for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to complete its full four-year term. Despite the shock and anger that followed the October 7 massacre, the coalition appears secure, making it one of the few governments in the country's history to serve a full term. What once seemed politically unthinkable has become a reality, due in part to Netanyahu's political skill but also to a deeply divided opposition.

Rather than uniting to capitalize on the government's vulnerabilities, leading opposition figures have been publicly competing for leadership. Former prime minister Naftali Bennett has positioned himself as the inevitable next leader, while Gadi Eisenkot has declared his own candidacy for prime minister. Yair Lapid has meanwhile warned voters against supporting potential partners he suggests could ultimately align with Netanyahu.

The public jockeying has created an impression of ego-driven rivalry at a time when the country remains at war and national tensions are high. Instead of presenting a cohesive alternative, opposition leaders appear focused on internal competition. This fractured approach has reinforced perceptions of disarray and helps explain why the opposition has failed to topple a government many once believed could not survive the aftermath of October 7.