Can Netanyahu launch a strike on Iran before he leaves?

Despite losing its majority in last month’s parliamentary elections, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is still in power in a caretaker capacity. That will continue until a new governing majority is formed – a process that could take months as Israel’s opposition struggles to form a coalition.

And while he may be politically weakened, Netanyahu is reported to be weighing new military action against Iran , despite a lack of enthusiasm from the United States, his own military establishment, and the politicians vying to replace him. But does Netanyahu’s caretaker government actually have the authority to send Israel back to war, and how would such a move be received at home?

Officially, Israel’s caretaker government has the same authority as a regular government. Article 30 of the country’s Basic Law states that an interim government continues to carry out the same duties until a new one takes its place.