In the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks that devastated communities along Israel’s northeastern Gaza border, political alignments in the country appear to be undergoing a profound transformation. In Be’eri, one of the hardest-hit kibbutzim, residents describe a stark shift in attitudes that reflects broader changes reshaping Israeli politics ahead of the national elections scheduled for late October.
Lilach Sheffer-Hadad, a former resident of Be’eri who once identified with the left, now supports Avigdor Lieberman, a nationalist former defense minister known for his hawkish stance. She expressed a desire to rebuild her home directly on the Gaza shoreline, symbolizing a more assertive posture toward the territory. This change highlights a wider rightward tilt among communities traditionally associated with Israel’s liberal left.
Be’eri, along with nearby kibbutzim such as Kfar Aza, Nahal Oz, and Nirim, has become emblematic of the trauma inflicted during the Hamas assault, which killed more than 1,000 Israelis in a single day and left many residents displaced. The attacks and ensuing conflict have intensified debates over security policy and leadership, deepening divisions within the right-wing bloc and complicating the political landscape.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, in office through three separate terms since 1996, commands both staunch loyalty and considerable criticism. He warned of potential attacks ahead of the elections, emphasizing Israel’s readiness to respond. To supporters, Netanyahu remains the essential figure safeguarding Israel, praised for his aggressive campaigns against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian allies.
“I will stay with Netanyahu, who knows there can be no peace, until the bitter end,” said Dudu, a mechanic in the border town of Sderot, where Netanyahu retains strong support. Others credit the prime minister with eliminating key militant leaders since the October attacks.
However, many criticize Netanyahu for security failures preceding October 7 and accuse him of prioritizing personal power over national safety. Nir Shani, a Be’eri resident whose son was kidnapped into Gaza and later returned, called Netanyahu the "great betrayer" and questioned the resilience of Israeli democracy under his leadership.
Netanyahu’s current coalition heavily depends on far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties, alienating secular right-wing and centrist factions like Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu. Lieberman and Gadi Eisenkot, a former army chief of staff and leading centrist, have formed a secular right-wing alliance poised to challenge Netanyahu, advocating pragmatic policies grounded in traditional Western ties.
At the same time, a more extreme right-wing faction, including West Bank settlers and figures such as Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, is pressuring Netanyahu to intensify settlement expansion into Gaza and oppose international mediation efforts. Activists like Mechi Fendel in Sderot openly resist aid deliveries to Gaza and reject U.S.-backed peace initiatives, asserting Israel’s exclusive claim to the Gaza coastline and opposing any international oversight.
The violence and shifting allegiances have left concepts of peace largely frozen, with little room for sympathy toward Palestinians. Residents in Be’eri and surrounding areas grapple with trauma and uncertainty about the future. Amit Solvy, leading reconstruction efforts in Be’eri, expressed skepticism about rebuilding efforts if Netanyahu remains in power, seeing the prime minister’s support as fueled more by emotional loyalty than rational appraisal.
Many residents haunted by memories of the attacks say they harbor little hope heading into the election. Lilach Sheffer-Hadad described her life as driven by anger, with diminishing empathy for those across the border, reflecting a broader hardening in Israeli society following the conflict.
With the upcoming election poised to reshape Israel’s government amidst heightened security concerns, the fate of communities like Be’eri remains intertwined with the evolving political dynamics and the nation’s capacity to reconcile its divisions.