Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has several good reasons to want early elections held in June. Much has been written about his desire to face a test of public confidence before facing a criminal trial, if Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit decides to indict him on bribery charges.

Speculation has been rife that he plans to turn the 70th anniversary of Israel’s independence on April 19 into the high point of an election campaign. His failed attempts to hijack the Independence Day opening ceremony on Mount Herzl, traditionally hosted by the Knesset Speaker, also figured in assessments. Preferring June for elections has additional significance of no less importance to Netanyahu: In mid-May, US President Donald Trump is due to decide on whether to stick with the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the five world powers.

Trump's decision to fire Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and replace him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo strengthens the likelihood that he will renege on the nuclear deal. In November 2016, as a candidate for the CIA job, Pompeo tweeted, “I look forward to rolling back this disastrous deal with the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism.” As a member of Congress, Pompeo spoke out in favor of a military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu is probably the public figure most identified with the campaign against the nuclear deal, which bears the imprimatur of former President Barack Obama. Renewed US sanctions against Iran and saber rattling at Tehran would elevate Netanyahu to the standing of Israel’s national savior from “another Holocaust,” to quote him. Invoking Case 1000 against Netanyahu, does one oust such an outstanding leader merely because he accepted a “few cigars” from wealthy patrons?