Netanyahu and Trump Speak on Day 949; Ultra-Orthodox Coalition Crisis Deepens as Knesset Dissolution Accelerates

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump spoke by telephone on May 17, 2026 (Day 949 of the war; Day 7 of the renewed campaign), according to Times of Israel reporting — the first direct communication between the two leaders since Israel's security cabinet authorized the renewed military campaign on May 10. The call was expected to cover Gaza war strategy, Hamas leadership succession following the IDF killings of Mohammed Sinwar and Izz al-Din al-Haddad, and the ongoing military operations. Israel's domestic political crisis accelerated in parallel: ultra-Orthodox party Degel HaTorah publicly declared 'We have no trust in Netanyahu anymore' and joined calls for immediate Knesset dissolution, following Netanyahu's admission that he lacked votes to pass the Haredi draft exemption legislation. The Knesset dissolution process, triggered by the draft exemption collapse, has set Israeli elections by October 27, 2026. Anti-government protests against Netanyahu continued across Israel on May 16–17, described by organizers as opposing 'a government of debacle and disaster.' Polls show over 75% of Israelis believe Netanyahu should resign. The political crisis runs in parallel with the renewed Gaza military campaign — Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners (Ben Gvir, Smotrich) favor total military occupation and reject any ceasefire, while centrist opposition demands a hostage deal.