Netanyahu Builds Loyal Likud Faction for Post-Election Scenarios

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is strategically assembling a Likud faction designed to ensure his political survival and influence, regardless of the election outcome. Learning from past experiences, Netanyahu has prioritized loyalty in his current list, aiming to secure a supportive bloc whether he wins or loses the upcoming election. This approach contrasts with the fragmented opposition, which struggles to unite.

Netanyahu's strategy involves leveraging national issues like the justice system, Iran, and national identity to polarize voters and rally his base. The goal is not to convince undecided centrist voters but to re-engage disillusioned right-wing voters by framing the alternative government as a greater threat. This polarization is seen as a deliberate and useful tool in his political maneuvering.

The composition of the Likud faction is crucial for Netanyahu's post-election plans. If he forms a government, loyalists will be essential. If he loses, a tightly controlled faction becomes even more critical, as it can prevent internal challenges to his leadership, which often emerge after electoral defeats. Members indebted to Netanyahu for their Knesset seats start with a political obligation, providing him with an added layer of security against rivals.

In contrast, the opposition, while united by a negative sentiment towards Netanyahu, struggles with internal cohesion and leadership consensus. The previous Bennett-Lapid government demonstrated the fragility of coalitions formed by disparate parties. Netanyahu's camp faces electoral fragmentation but has a clear leadership figure, whereas the opposition lacks a universally agreed-upon leader and faces challenges in translating broad electoral appeal into governing capacity.

The article also touches upon the impact of the October 7th attacks, which have become a central theme in the political discourse. While opponents aim to hold Netanyahu accountable for the failures of that day, his strategy is to broaden the narrative to include the subsequent war and military achievements, thereby diluting his direct responsibility for the initial failure. The inclusion of individuals associated with the events of October 7th on his list serves to counter the opposition's narrative and present a more complex picture of heroism and ongoing leadership.