Is there a plot to take down Bibi?

THE JEWISH CHRONICLE

This month contains two anniversaries for Benjamin Netanyahu. He will mark a year since the last election – the fourth he has won – and ten full years as prime minister, including the three he served in the late 1990s and seven in this second stretch.

By law, his current term could last for another three and a half years, allowing him to surpass even David Ben Gurion as Israel’s longest-serving prime minister.

However, if the leaders of the parties on the centre-right of Israel’s political map have anything to do with it, this will be his final term.

Figures including Yisrael Beiteinu’s Avigdor Lieberman, Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, Gideon Saar and former IDF chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi have in recent weeks been discussing strategies for replacing the prime minister come the next election. One strategy may even lead to early elections being held. “Don’t take for granted that Bibi will still be in power in a year’s time” says one former Likud politician, once close to Mr Netanyahu, who is privy to the talks.