This isn't Hungary: Even October 7 wasn't enough for Israel | Shlomo Shmir

Shlomo Shmir writes that despite the October 7 disaster, Likud won 27 seats and Netanyahu is still running for prime minister. He cites unnamed foreign sources who struggle to understand the election results, and claims the Israeli public is ignoring the deterioration of the country's international standing.

Shlomo Shmir's column in Ma'ariv newspaper, titled "This isn't Hungary: Even October 7 wasn't enough for Israel." The writer cites two unnamed sources: a veteran Jewish leader in New York and a deputy head of a Western mission at the UN, both expressing bewilderment that after the October 7 disaster, Likud won 27 seats and Netanyahu is still running for prime minister. Shmir claims that many in Israel are unaware of the damage done to the country's international standing by ministers like Ben Gvir and Smotrich, and that a government led by Netanyahu with these partners will worsen the deterioration. The column concludes that Israel may become a country whose citizens have lost their sense of responsibility for its status and reputation.