Israel's multi-front crisis: political fragmentation, regional escalation, and societal fracture

Right-wing fragmentation, Ben Gvir-Netanyahu silence, and Eisenkot's rise

Election campaign turmoil and coalition rift — The Israeli election campaign, now 43 days before the vote, is marked by deep fragmentation and internal conflict. Polls consistently show Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar! party leading with 22-24 seats, ahead of Likud at 18-21 seats, but the right-wing bloc remains deadlocked at 52 seats each. Likud views Ofer Vinter's 'Amcha Yisrael' party as a spoiler, while Likud and Ben Gvir file petitions to disqualify the Joint List and Ra'am. President Isaac Herzog warns against dangerous extremism in the campaign. Coalition tensions and institutional clashes — National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir reveals that Prime Minister Netanyahu has not answered his calls in weeks, indicating a significant rift. Police Commissioner Danny Levy defies Ben Gvir by planning officer appointments despite a refusal to sign off. MK Simcha Rothman attacks Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit as a 'Kaplanist', while the Israel Bar Association warns Bezalel Smotrich over an AI campaign video targeting justices. Smotrich and Rothman present a judicial reform plan for the next Knesset term, drawing criticism from President Herzog. Houthi advances and US-Iran confrontation — Houthi forces advance along the Red Sea coast, seizing islands near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and capturing Mokha and Perim Island, gaining control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. CENTCOM destroys two Iranian boats after IRGC attempted to steal a US Navy drone in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran reinforces the underground Mount Makoush complex near Natanz, as President Trump warns Iran against provocation. The US approves a Saudi F-35 deal without requiring normalization with Israel, shifting the regional military balance. Domestic violence, crime, and cultural divides — A series of attacks using anti-tank missiles, LAW missiles, and RPGs in Israeli towns like Sajur, Jaljulia, and Kafr Qasim indicate a militarized criminal landscape. The number of murder victims in Arab society reaches 173 since January. The documentary 'Naz'a' sparks fierce debate, with Culture Minister Zohar calling it 'treason' and seeking to revoke filmmakers' citizenship, while 43 human rights groups defend them. A