Post #142

U.S. officials have to work with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu as they try to contain the Israel-Hamas war, but some are starting to wonder if he’s really in charge. Netanyahu is trying to stay in office and avoid prison on corruption charges, two linked desires that have long made him vulnerable to the demands of far-right members of his governing coalition. Now, an Israeli Supreme Court ruling against his effort to overhaul the judiciary may make him even more susceptible. The far-right figures — notably ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir — have deep anti-Palestinian views and are resistant to U.S. proposals, which they consider too friendly to Palestinians. If they abandon Netanyahu’s coalition, he could lose his prime ministership.