Israel Will Hold an Election for Prime Minister in September — Even Though Netanyahu Just Won the Vote

Just seven weeks after he claimed victory in national elections and prepared to embark on a historic fifth term, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a government within the allotted 42-day limit, plunging the country into political turmoil and forcing Israelis to return to the polls for fresh elections this fall.

Netanyahu was on track to become the longest serving Prime Minister in Israeli history, surpassing the country’s founder David Ben-Gurion.

Just seven weeks after he claimed victory in national elections and prepared to embark on a historic fifth term, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a government within the allotted 42-day limit, plunging the country into political turmoil and forcing Israelis to return to the polls for fresh elections this fall. Netanyahu was on track to become the longest serving Prime Minister in Israeli history, surpassing the country’s founder David Ben-Gurion.