Intel: How Netanyahu’s acrimonious meeting with a right-wing ally sets the stage for early elections

Early elections appear right around the corner in Israel following today’s acrimonious meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Education Minister Naftali Bennett, the head of the right-wing religious Jewish Home party. Netanyahu refused Bennett’s request to take over departed Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman’s portfolio. Instead, Netanyahu himself will serve as acting defense minister for the time being, in addition to his duties as prime minister and acting foreign minister.

Why it matters: Liberman left office this week in opposition to the cease-fire with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Without Liberman’s Yisrael Beitenu party, Netanyahu’s ruling coalition only had a one-seat majority in the Knesset. Today’s showdown with Bennett further complicates the prime minister’s ability to keep his allies together and all but ensures early elections in March or April.