Israeli PM's woes won't abate even if vote of no confidence fails

Netanyahu faces potential ICC arrest warrant, threats of Cabinet resignations

- Jonathan Eyal

LONDON - The government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a vote of no confidence in Parliament, tabled by the country's left-wing Labour Party opposition.

Labour marked the first day of the new legislative session in the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, on May 20 by submitting a vote of no confidence, accusing Mr Netanyahu and his Cabinet colleagues of having "failed miserably in managing the state in all its aspects", and particularly in "providing security for the citizens of Israel".

A no-confidence parliamentary debate in the middle of the Gaza war is an unusual experience for Israel, a country that prides itself on national unity during conflict.

Although there is no question that the Israeli government will survive this challenge - Labour has just seven MPs out of a total of 120 in the Knesset - the parliamentary debate comes at the wrong time for Mr Netanyahu.

He faces a potential arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his alleged conduct in the current Gaza conflict, and also has to contend with resignation threats from his Cabinet.

Mr Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, is famous for his political survival instincts.

Still, he will need all his skills and plenty of luck to survive the current challenges.

The ICC prosecutor's May 20 decision to seek arrest warrants for Mr Netanyahu and Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant was not entirely unexpected. The Israeli leader had publicly discussed this possibility for weeks.

It is still theoretically possible that the ICC's judges will refuse to issue the warrants, thereby terminating the entire process.

Nonetheless, the episode has shaken the Israeli establishment.

Many Israeli politicians regard the proposed indictment as unjust.