Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future is becoming increasingly skeptical amid the escalating protests in Israel. After his right-wing alliance just about won the presidency over two years ago, the political landscape has changed significantly. Protests against planned judicial reforms and anger over the way the government handled the October 7th massacre have severely damaged Netanyahu’s previously strong hold on power.
Recent projected seat distribution highlights this vulnerability. With 22 seats, Netanyahu’s Likud party would continue to be the largest group in the Knesset if elections were conducted today. This advantage is not without risk, though. Netanyahu’s hegemony may be threatened by a powerful coalition that Benny Gantz’s National Unity party is prepared to assemble. More importantly, the existing status quo might be severely upended by former prime minister Naftali Bennett’s possible return to politics. According to projected polls, Bennett’s fictitious new party might win up to 27 seats, drastically cutting Likud’s representation and highlighting the volatility of Netanyahu’s position.
Recent Channel 12 News polling further reflects the growing dissatisfaction in Israel. A startling 69% of Israelis think that this should be Netanyahu’s last term in government, and his coalition is even divided on the issue. There are serious rifts in his support base as nearly half of his coalition partners recommend that he resign. There have been protests in Israel following the discovery of the body of American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was kept captive since the raid on October 7. Many found his funeral to be a moving event, and it sparked more protests when demonstrators accused Netanyahu of not doing enough to obtain the release of hostages and of making conditions that would have blocked any potential agreements.
The protests in Israel are unparalleled in terms of their scope and ferocity. Political analyst Dr. Steven Zunes has observed the striking scope of these protests, which have the backing of influential figures like the mayor of Tel Aviv and Histadrut, the largest union in Israel. Although Netanyahu has often shrugged off public criticism, a combination of large-scale demonstrations and substantial economic setbacks would compel him to reevaluate his style of leadership.
The US, Israel’s number one ally, is pressing Netanyahu to accept a cease-fire agreement, and this is putting significant pressure on Netanyahu from throughout the world. President Biden’s assertion that the Israeli prime minister is not going far enough proves that relations between Washington and Tel Aviv are far from ideal. Moreover, The United Kingdom has halted some military supplies to Israel, citing a “clear risk” that the equipment could be used to break serious international law.
Despite these mounting challenges, Netanyahu remains resolute. Calls for his resignation have increased as a result of his refusal to budge on his demands for a cease-fire or a hostage agreement with Hamas. The issue is whether Netanyahu will survive this unprecedented wave of opposition or if this is the beginning of the end of his lengthy and controversial political career. Israel’s place in international politics as well as its internal politics will be significantly impacted by the response to this question.
An interesting and detailed read