Netanyahu’s legacy: Personality politics reshapes Israeli democracy

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a national unity government among Jewish Israelis during the swearing-in of Israel's new parliament, the Knesset, on Tuesday. The opposition, which now holds a majority of seats but has yet to form a government, responded with heckles, catcalls, and walkouts.

Netanyahu cited supposed internal and external threats, pointing to Iran and the increased number of Palestinian citizen lawmakers whom he accused, without evidence, of seeking Israel's destruction. He warned against forming a narrow government, saying it would be unable to handle the challenges facing the nation.

Unity Government Push

We must do one thing – set aside every other consideration and form a national unity government. Only such a government will be able to meet challenges of this magnitude. It is impossible to handle them with a narrow government," Netanyahu said, referring to the potential for a minority government that many analysts consider likely.

I say this because here in this parliament they are seriously talking about forming a narrow government like this, a government that includes within it terror supporters, haters of Israel, or that would be dependent on them," he said, referring to parties representing Palestinian citizens of Israel.

Contentious Session

Even by the standards of Israeli politics, where analysts say personality has long overshadowed party and policy, Tuesday's session was unusually contentious. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett heckled Netanyahu while trading barbs with the latter's wife, Sara, and his hard-right ally Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Many of the Palestinian lawmakers attacked by the prime minister during his speech walked out in protest. Gadi Eisenkot, who has been given the first chance to form a new government, subsequently cancelled previously scheduled coalition talks with Netanyahu and declared him 'unfit for office'.

Personality Politics Legacy

Netanyahu has long played an outsized role in Israeli politics, helping transform the political system into one highly based on personalities, with voters typically identifying a leader they like first before focusing on policy. Despite contributing more to that change than any other politician, Netanyahu now finds himself fighting for his political life.

If Eisenkot forms a viable government – which still hangs in the balance – Netanyahu faces being frozen out of power, with his corruption trial continuing without the protection of the prime minister's office. There will likely also be an inquiry into his government's failings before the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023.

Toxic Populism

Israeli political campaigns have become more personalized in recent decades despite elections being based on party slates rather than individuals. This has led many voters to focus on personality rather than party when casting their ballots.

Dahlia Schneidlin noted that bringing other parties into a coalition requires leaders to demonstrate 'political negotiating and bargaining skills,' which Eisenkot will need to show if he forms a government. The emphasis on political personalities over policy positions has fueled a culture where personal differences contribute to populist politics.

The stress on the personal makes everything so much worse. With party structures so centralised, leaders can become almost dictatorial and get to act without constraint. This is how it becomes possible for a prime minister to accuse 19 elected members of the Knesset of being terrorist sympathisers and nobody thinks it's extraordinary. It's become toxic," said Yossi Mekelberg of Chatham House.