Benjamin Netanyahu has sought to reshape both his political image and Israel’s strategic posture in the wake of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks—the deadliest assault on Israeli civilians since the Holocaust. The 77-year-old prime minister, Israel’s longest-serving leader, is now campaigning for re-election in a closely contested vote scheduled for Tuesday amid profound national division and ongoing conflict.
Once regarded as cautious and risk-averse, Netanyahu has adopted a more assertive and hawkish stance following the unprecedented violence that exposed vulnerabilities in Israel’s defense. The attacks eroded public confidence in longstanding security approaches and compelled Netanyahu to abandon his previous doctrine of brief, defensive wars.
Instead, he has embarked on a prolonged military engagement on multiple fronts. Israel is now confronting Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, and the Houthi militia in Yemen. Alongside the United States, Israel is also intensifying pressure on Iran, which Netanyahu has identified as a central adversary. He has declared the need to “complete the elimination of the Iranian regime.”
Domestically, Netanyahu has deepened Israel’s control of the West Bank by permitting the expansion of Jewish settlements and tolerating increased settler violence against Palestinians. This hardline approach has further alienated Israel from segments of the international community.
Political analysts note that Netanyahu’s transformation reflects a strategic recalibration aimed at securing his political survival as well as cementing his legacy. “He understood that if he wanted to survive, not only politically but as a historic figure, he had to change,” said Mazal Mualem, an Israeli political commentator and biographer of Netanyahu. “He killed off the old Bibi and delivered a new one into the world.”
Despite his efforts, polls indicate a competitive race. Netanyahu’s Likud party faces stiff opposition from a centrist coalition led by Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israeli military chief. While most surveys place the opposition slightly ahead, none shows a decisive majority for either camp. Eisenkot’s coalition currently appears unable to form a definitive governing majority, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding Israel’s political future.
Netanyahu’s return to power in late 2022 followed a brief hiatus during which he was politically isolated due to ongoing corruption indictments. To form a governing coalition, he partnered with far-right extremist parties that had previously been marginalized, signaling a shift toward a more polarized and ideologically fragmented political landscape.
As the country heads to the polls, Netanyahu remains a formidable figure with a loyal base and a reputation for political resilience. Whether his altered image and expanded security agenda will secure him another term remains a central question in what many Israelis consider the most consequential election in recent memory.