Netanyahu’s political survival on the line as Israel votes

THE OCT 7 RECKONING

The election follows one of Israel’s most turbulent periods since its establishment in 1948, shaped by the trauma of the Oct 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, Israel’s subsequent military assault in Gaza and deep domestic divisions over the policies of Netanyahu’s right-wing government.

For many of Netanyahu’s opponents, the election turns on accountability for the security failures of Oct 7, Israel’s deadliest day.

Mali Hajaj, an education ministry employee and Eisenkot supporter, said “the most important thing is the establishment of a national inquiry because that’s where our healing will come from”.

Lisa Tortor said she hoped Netanyahu would go and “they can form a new government and do some of the repairing of the damage that Bibi has done for Jews all over the world and for Israel, and Israel’s image.” Bibi is Netanyahu’s nickname.

But Nof Gabay, an 18-year-old Likud supporter, rejected the idea Netanyahu was to blame for Oct 7 and called him “the right man for the state of Israel”.

“Netanyahu managed the war in the best possible way,” Gabay said.

THE WARTIME RECORD

Israel flattened much of Gaza in the offensive launched after Oct 7, when Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and took another 251 hostage. Gaza health authorities say Israeli attacks killed 74,000 people.

Israel also dealt heavy blows to Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon and traded strikes with Iran before a 12-day aerial campaign against Iranian nuclear sites in 2025 and this year’s joint US-Israeli war.

Eisenkot has said Israel’s next government must prevent Iran from acquiring a military nuclear capability, either by force or through an “arrangement” such as a US-backed diplomatic solution.