Netanyahu's audacious election pitch

Benjamin Netanyahu is asking Israeli voters to forget the October 7th, 2023 disaster and his role as security guardian. Instead, he wants credit for military dominance since October 8th.

“Forget the horror of October 7, 2023, and my responsibility as the guardian of national security.”

The election is October 27th

Netanyahu and his Likud party trail in most mainstream polls, yet observers say anything could happen given Israel's complicated parliamentary system and array of parties competing.

Eisenkot emerges as main challenger

Gadi Eisenkot, a centrist former Army general leading the Yashar Party, could form a winning coalition with parties led by Yair Golan, Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid, Avigdor Lieberman and Ra'am.

Netanyahu's unlikely political survival

Within days of the Hamas attack, the worst disaster in Israel's history, it seemed certain Netanyahu would lose power. Yet he remains a contender despite the national trauma.

Gantz fades from the race

Benny Gantz, a well-known former Army general seen as a centrist, was presumed favorite but had little to say and less charisma. He quickly became the forgotten man of Israeli politics.

Netanyahu's attack strategy on Eisenkot

Netanyahu plans to attack Eisenkot as soft on security, soft on Arabs and a supporter of peace with Palestinians. A blend of bravado and bigotry has worked for Netanyahu before.

Hostage families attacked on air

Yinon Magal, leading talk-show host on Channel 14, denounced former hostages and families who contributed to a book criticizing Netanyahu's handling of hostage releases as priorities.

“Anyone who took part in the campaign saying he abandoned the hostages will be remembered in infamy, on a pillar of shame.”

Magal's demand for political loyalty

Magal told hostage families the only way to atone for criticizing Netanyahu is to vote Likud. He called them despicable people and the lowest in the State of Israel.

“These are despicable people, and the only thing that can absolve them is if they put the Likud ballot slip for Netanyahu into the ballot box.”

Netanyahu's coldness toward hostage families

Critics note Netanyahu rarely visited hostage families or expressed concern for them in the war's early days. At a ceremony Monday in Jerusalem, a bereaved father confronted him directly.

“You did not protect my son. You did not protect the twelve hundred people who were murdered in a single day, on October 7th. Shame on you, disgrace.”

President Herzog calls for investigation

Israeli President Isaac Herzog, speaking at the same October 7th commemoration ceremony, called for an investigation into the security collapse that allowed the attack.

“No amount of time that passes can allow us to forgo this obligation. There are clear lessons we already know we must internalize.”

The Agranat Commission precedent

After the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Israel conducted an exhaustive investigation that led to resignations and ended Golda Meir's career. Netanyahu has deferred any official inquiry.

Netanyahu ignored Hamas warnings

Netanyahu badly misread Hamas, treating them as a street gang compared to Hezbollah. He received clear warnings from the United Arab Emirates and Egypt that a major operation was imminent.

Sara Netanyahu spreads conspiracy theories

Netanyahu's wife, speaking to Channel 14, insinuated that Yair Golan, former deputy chief of staff, had advance knowledge of the Hamas attack because he was armed and ready early on October 7th.

“When you're a military man of such high rank, claiming that you fought on October 7th, already early in the morning you were there, already dressed and ready.”

Netanyahu frames criticism as antisemitism

Netanyahu insists his military campaigns against Gaza, where more than seventy thousand have died, against Hezbollah and Iran made Israel stronger. He paints foreign critics as antisemitic.

Eisenkot demands accountability

Eisenkot, who quit Netanyahu's war cabinet over hostage priorities, calls the Prime Minister an anti-leader who dodges responsibility. He promises an official commission of inquiry if elected.

“The choice in this election is between responsibility and running away from responsibility.”

Eisenkot predicts Netanyahu's defeat

Eisenkot told the Times of Israel that in twenty-one days Netanyahu will no longer be Prime Minister. He argues Netanyahu failed in the greatest failure since the state's establishment.

“It makes no sense for a man who failed in the greatest failure since the establishment of the state to continue ruling through a cynical policy of divide and rule.”