Unless the opposition raises its game, Netanyahu, the PM of Oct. 7, could yet survive this election

With two weeks until Israel's election, the opposition Zionist bloc struggles to capitalize on Benjamin Netanyahu's culpability for the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Netanyahu, who has not acknowledged responsibility, deflects blame to security chiefs, blocks an independent inquiry, and continues to employ a suspected Qatar-linked aide. The opposition, constrained by internal rivalries and an understated campaign, barely leads in polls, while Netanyahu effectively mobilizes the right.

With two weeks until Israel's election, the outcome is uncertain, a fact the analyst finds astounding given that PM Benjamin Netanyahu was in charge during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack. The analyst argues Netanyahu's survival stems from his shameless rewriting of history, the opposition's failure to hold him accountable, and changing demographics. Netanyahu has not acknowledged responsibility for the worst one-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, deflects blame to military and security chiefs, and refuses to enable an independent state commission of inquiry. He continues to employ Jonatan Urich, an aide charged with disseminating classified IDF intelligence and suspected of promoting Qatar's image. The opposition Zionist bloc, constrained by rivalries between Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, and Avigdor Liberman, and an understated campaign, barely leads in polls. Netanyahu effectively mobilizes the right via TV appearances, social media, and targeting maverick candidate Ofer Winter. The analyst notes the electorate is volatile and polls unreliable, with small parties potentially determining the result.