Israeli election to test Benjamin Netanyahu's ability to hold power
Tens of thousands of Israelis marched in Tel Aviv last night, demanding accountability for the October 7 terror attacks, as the country prepares for its first parliamentary elections since the tragedy.
The streets of Tel Aviv were filled with protesters last night, their voices raised in a chorus of anger and demands for justice.
Tens of thousands gathered at Hostages Square, a focal point for the families of those taken by Hamas during the October 7 attacks.
A referendum on Netanyahu
Tuesday's parliamentary election will be the first since the October 7 attacks, and it has become a singular referendum on the prime minister's leadership.
Netanyahu, known as Bibi, has dominated Israeli politics for over three decades, but his approval ratings have been severely tested.
The protests reflect a deep public frustration with the government's handling of the war and the failures that allowed the October 7 attacks to occur.
A divided nation
The country is deeply divided, with opinions on Netanyahu ranging from fervent support to outright condemnation.
In a market outside Tel Aviv, restaurant owner Benny Abraham expressed his unwavering support for Netanyahu and Likud.
Others, like Liat and her husband Sharon, have grown disillusioned with his leadership.
I don't hate him, OK, I think he did the good things to Israel, but no more.
The opposition's challenge
Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as the main challenger to Netanyahu, presenting himself as a more pragmatic alternative.
Eisenkot left Netanyahu's government in 2024, accusing the prime minister of prolonging the war to appease his right-wing coalition partners.
His son was killed fighting Hamas shortly after the Gaza War began, a personal tragedy that has fueled his political resolve.
Political analyst Dahlia Scheindlin notes that Eisenkot represents the 'anti-Bibi' for many Israelis.
I think for Israelis, the biggest change he represents is that they expect him to form a government that does not have religious extremists and right-wing ultra-nationalist populists, and doesn't have Jewish supremacists.
Netanyahu's resilience
Despite the polls showing Eisenkot with a clear lead, the path to forming a government is complex and fraught with challenges.
Eisenkot would need to build a coalition with at least four other parties to govern.
Scheindlin cautions that Netanyahu remains a formidable political operator, a master of coalition bargaining.
Absolutely. He is the master of engineering politicians, coalition bargaining. He has more experience than anybody else at masterminding the political system within legal means.
It is possible that, even if he loses the election, Netanyahu could still be prime minister a year from now.
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