Israeli voters remain loyal to Benjamin Netanyahu despite the ongoing war following the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. While critics expected his downfall, polls show his coalition neck-and-neck with opposition parties, potentially allowing him to retain power in a deadlock scenario.
Netanyahu's resilience stems from a narrative of Israeli triumphs: controlling Gaza, dislodging Hezbollah from Lebanon, weakening Iran's nuclear program, and securing U.S. cooperation. For many Israelis, southern and northern regions are safer, with reduced rocket threats and stronger deterrence.
He also promotes a 'deep-state conspiracy' theory, claiming security failures on Oct. 7 were orchestrated by military and bureaucratic elites, deflecting blame from his government. This mirrors right-wing U.S. political rhetoric and resonates with his core supporters.
If the election deadlocks, Netanyahu could remain prime minister through a transitional government, defying predictions that the Oct. 7 catastrophe would end his career.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing