He has shaped Israeli politics for almost three decades. For many people worldwide, Benjamin Netanyahu is not just a prime minister, but a fixture of the Israeli political landscape: the man who, before the United Nations, used cartoons of a bomb to highlight the Iranian nuclear threat, who initiated the Abraham Accords, who ensured Israel's voice was heard in Washington – even when American presidents didn't really want to listen – and who is among the Israeli leaders with the best English rhetoric. But in the run-up to the upcoming elections, a very different debate is taking place in Israel.
A guest post by Jonathan Feldstein
In an open panel discussion on the podcast "Inspiration from Zion," five undecided Israeli voters, representing the entire political spectrum from left to right, were directly asked: Why don't Israelis simply rally behind Netanyahu again? The answers were pointed, personal, and—given the otherwise heterogeneous composition of the group—remarkably unanimous.
The most frequent accusation concerned neither corruption nor ideology, but something more fundamental: Netanyahu's deliberate suppression of all those who might one day succeed him. "The biggest problem with Netanyahu is that he hasn't groomed a successor in 20 years," said Arnie Draiman, a Jerusalem-based consultant for nonprofit organizations. "There have been people who rose to become his number two, but each time he summarily dismissed them or pushed them aside—or they left in frustration."
The question of succession
Draiman noted that Netanyahu could have stepped down at the height of his political career after the Abraham Accords; he could have given a chosen successor the opportunity to continue his legacy while remaining in an advisory role behind the scenes. Instead, he stayed in office, thereby hollowing out much of the political talent in his inner circle. The irony is striking: many of today's opposition leaders are former Likud insiders and confidants of Netanyahu, whom he himself alienated.
Batya Medad has lived in Shilo for more than four decades. She views the problem from a historical perspective, pointing to Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was elected for four terms and died in office. She noted that Americans, out of fear of change, repeatedly elected a man who was visibly declining.
This lesson, she argued, could be directly applied to Israel today. “It is neither healthy for a people nor for a government of citizens to believe that only one person can be prime minister,” Medad said. “The government and the country must be stronger than any single person. This is not a monarchy.” She added a warning that should resonate even with Netanyahu supporters: “It worries me when people say they can’t imagine anyone else, because that means they’re overlooking problems.”
Time for a fresh start
Erica Schachne, editor of the Jerusalem Post Magazine, perhaps offered the most personal assessment. She acknowledged that Netanyahu had once captured the imagination of the Israeli public and achieved genuine successes. But she maintained that this era was irrevocably over. “I think the Israeli people are very disappointed in him,” Schachne said. “He once inspired people, but now he has regressed in a way. He has forgotten what once made him great, lost touch with reality, and it’s time to bring in some fresh blood.”
Schachne also pointed to what she called the "death of shame": a broader breakdown of political accountability, which she traces back to the leadership. "He's too busy clinging to power. That's become the lifeblood of this country." She described a government in which no one takes responsibility for anything, adding bluntly, "The government ministers aren't doing their jobs. At times, you get the impression the government isn't functioning at all."
The role of October 7, 2023
For Yehuda Poch, who has worked at the Bank of Israel for 13 years, the question of responsibility for October 7th was crucial. His stance was unequivocal. "I have to seriously consider not electing anyone who bears any responsibility for October 7th," Poch said. "Anyone who worked in the security apparatus—up to ten years before October 7th—is part of the problem."
This, he noted, not only excludes Netanyahu, but also several figures he otherwise respects – including Benny Gantz, whom he described as "the greatest 'human being' (a person of integrity) in the entire Knesset." His painful conclusion: Israel's political class is so deeply entangled in the failures that led to the catastrophe that voters have hardly anyone left to turn to. "Netanyahu is definitely part of the problem," Poch said. "The question then becomes: Who isn't?"
Marc Simanowitz, a genetics doctoral student at the Hebrew University, focused on a pattern he observed during two major crises: both during the COVID pandemic and during the war that followed October 7, the prime minister was effectively absent as a decision-maker. “Every time a crisis erupts, you get the feeling that Israel is leaderless,” Simanowitz said. “He’s not there.” He also noted that Likud itself had become a problem for right-wing voters. “Even if you’re politically right-wing, there are better alternatives. The Likud party under Netanyahu doesn’t hold much appeal for the average young Israeli.”
The pressing issues
Even though the participants in the discussion agreed in principle that Netanyahu had to be replaced, there was agreement on another point: In his prime, Netanyahu was one of the most important prime ministers and leaders of Israel – if only because of his long political staying power.
Nevertheless, they encountered an uncomfortable truth: Netanyahu's continued political viability, which concerns many Israeli voters, is not based on his track record, but on the infighting within his political rivals. "It's the rifts between these parties that give him the power to stay in power," Poch remarked. "He is perhaps one of the few who truly understand how to play this game." Schachne bluntly stated the political reality: "It's a personality cult, and we can't change that. So the probability is very high that Bibi will win again."
But perhaps the most revealing moment of the entire conversation was the simplest imaginable: This group of Israeli voters from across the political spectrum barely mentioned Netanyahu's name in the first half hour; they were too busy discussing the economy, the education system, the cost of living, the ultra-Orthodox, and the erosion of political integrity. These are the issues that matter most to Israelis.
These are not the issues around which Netanyahu's political survival revolves. And when Netanyahu was directly mentioned, no one in the group brought up the ongoing corruption trial against him. Does this mean that Israelis are not interested in his legal problems, or that there are more pressing issues – however damaging the legal charges may remain?
One thing is certain: Netanyahu still masterfully clings to power. While no one among the undecided voters is willing to vote for him, neither is anyone prepared to write him off just yet.
Jonathan Feldstein is president of the Genesis 123 Foundation. Born and educated in the United States, he immigrated to Israel in 2004. He is married and has six children. Feldstein is a leader in working with and among Christian supporters of Israel and shares his experiences as an Orthodox Jew in Israel through his work, his writings, and as host of the podcast Inspiration from Zion.
