Netanyahu falls back on classic security playbook as election approaches - analysis

Benjamin Netanyahu is using his classic security-focused campaign playbook ahead of the October 27 election, presenting himself as the only leader capable of keeping Israel safe. However, his security credentials have been shattered by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, and polls predict his Likud party will lose about a third of its seats.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is relying on his familiar security-focused campaign strategy as the October 27 election approaches, presenting himself as the only leader capable of safeguarding Israel in a hostile region. However, his security credentials have been severely damaged by the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, the country's worst security breach. Opinion polls predict his Likud party will lose about a third of its parliamentary seats. Netanyahu's campaign portrays rivals as weak leftists, and he has stoked fears about Arab party coalitions. His main challenger is Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief who lost his son in Gaza and leads the centrist Yashar party. Netanyahu's UN address, where he defended Israel's actions, has been heavily promoted on his Telegram channel. Analysts suggest Netanyahu may be aiming for a stalemate that keeps him as interim prime minister rather than a clear victory.