"Israel's Enemies Want Us to Lose": Netanyahu's Final Push as Israel Votes After October 7 Massacre
Israel heads to the polls in the first election since the October 7 massacre. Will Netanyahu hold power or will the opposition bloc prevail?
Israel has reached a pivotal moment in its political history as over 7.3 million voters head to the polls to decide the future of the country. This is the first general election since the devastating Hamas-led massacre of October 7, 2023, and the stakes could not be higher. With 34 parties vying for control of the Knesset, the nation is deeply divided over security failures, judicial independence, and the leadership of the longest-serving Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Battle for the Knesset
Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been a central figure in Israeli power for 19 years, is fighting to maintain his grip on the government. While he has managed the rare feat of keeping a coalition in power for a full four-year term, he now faces a formidable challenge.
Current opinion surveys suggest that former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and his Yashar party are leading the race. Netanyahu is not only fighting Eisenkot but a collective front of Zionist Opposition parties, including:
- Naftali Bennett’s B’Yachad
- Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu
- Yair Golan’s Democrats
Reports indicate that this opposition bloc has collectively outpolled the Likud-led bloc. However, the path to power is complex; neither side is projected to secure the "magic number" of 61 seats required for an absolute majority.
The "Anti-Netanyahu" Glue
According to senior journalist Yaron Decel, the primary driver for the opposition is the desire to remove Netanyahu from office. Decel notes that the shared goal of replacing the controversial Prime Minister acts as the "glue" holding the four disparate opposition parties together.
To avoid another election within four months, analysts suggest the country may have to settle for a minority government or a broad national unity government.
Netanyahu’s Warning: The "Dangerous Left"
In a late-night appeal to voters, Benjamin Netanyahu framed the election as a choice between stability and a risky political shift. He cautioned that his rivals represent a left-leaning bloc that might rely on Arab parties to form a government—a prospect he claims is unacceptable to the Israeli electorate.
"Israel's enemies only want us to lose - because then a dangerous left-wing government of Eisenkot and Lieberman, with Yair Golan and the Arab parties, will rise here. The way to stop them is to go out and vote only Likud," Netanyahu posted.
The Opposition’s Demand for Accountability
The opposition, led by Gadi Eisenkot, has centered its campaign on the failures of October 7. They are demanding a full, independent commission of inquiry to hold the government accountable for the security lapses that allowed the massacre to happen.
Eisenkot, viewed as a security hawk, has characterized Netanyahu as a danger to the nation's safety. In his final message, Eisenkot vowed that Netanyahu's role would end immediately following the results.
"The people of Israel will elect a prime minister whose considerations will always be for the good of Israel, who will never act out of political interests at the expense of Israel's security and the fighters of the IDF," Eisenkot stated.
A Vision for a "Sane" State
Adding to the pressure, Avigdor Liberman has framed the vote as a choice for a stronger, more equitable state. In an emotional appeal featuring his grandson, Liberman advocated for a country where everyone serves in the military or civilian service and where all citizens are equal before the law.
Liberman’s vision includes the introduction of civil marriages and a core curriculum for all students, promising a "thriving, Zionist, sane, and strong State of Israel" if voters reject the current leadership.