TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel’s parliament on Tuesday passed a state budget, providing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition with a much-needed boost and granting the troubled leader a chance for months of political stability, despite growing public discontent over the conflict in Gaza.

The passing of the budget was a critical test for Netanyahu’s coalition, consisting of ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox parties. These parties demanded and largely received substantial funding for their constituents in exchange for their support of the funding package. Failure to pass the budget by March 31 would have led to the collapse of the government and the initiation of new elections.

With this development, Netanyahu secures for himself over a year of relative political tranquillity, potentially allowing his government to continue its term until late 2026. This is a rare instances of stability in Israel’s typically tumultuous political scene. It represents a political victory for Netanyahu, who faces widespread protests over his decision to restart the war in Gaza and the ongoing captivity of hostages, as well as his recent controversial moves to dismiss top legal and security officials.

Moreover, the approval of the budget could influence the dynamics of hostilities in Gaza. Netanyahu might navigate towards a permanent ceasefire with Hamas now that his political allies, who object to ending the conflict, have less motivation to seek new elections given their current dip in public approval ratings, according to Gayil Talshir, a political scientist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

However, Talshir highlighted that the vote does not guarantee Netanyahu’s shift towards peace. She expects him to continue prioritizing the objectives of his ultranationalist supporters to maintain their loyalty and bolster Right-wing nationalism in preparation for future elections.