He thinks we're idiots: the defective goods Netanyahu is trying to sell us again

Shimon Shabas, in a column on Walla!, compares Netanyahu's 2022 promises to the current reality: the cost of living hasn't dropped, property taxes have soared, VAT has increased, free education hasn't been implemented, the October 7 disaster occurred, an ICC arrest warrant was issued, and Netanyahu still claims they are 'close to victory' two and a half years after promising 'a step away from victory'. Shabas calls on voters to check the promises before the elections.

Shimon Shabas writes a column in the Walla! newspaper examining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's promises in the 2026 election campaign and comparing them to their actual implementation. Shabas argues that Netanyahu relies on the public's short memory and presents a list of promises from 2022: reducing the cost of living (property taxes soared, VAT increased, the discounted product basket failed), free education from infancy (a 15-year-old promise not fulfilled), victory over Hamas and restoring deterrence (compared to the October 7 disaster), expanding the circle of peace (Saudi Arabia did not join), and restoring Israel's status as a rising power (ICC arrest warrant, diplomatic isolation). Shabas also notes contradictory promises: Netanyahu said Ben Gvir was unfit to be a minister and appointed him, and promised 'a step away from victory' two and a half years ago and still claims they are 'close'. The column ends with a call for voters to check the previous promises before voting on October 27.