Lessons Learned: How to Defeat Israel's Longest-Serving Prime Minister

As Israel approaches the 2026 general election, a deep dive into the political strategies employed against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reveals the challenges of unseating him. Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, has repeatedly secured victory even when his political career appeared to be in jeopardy.

The report examines the approaches of politicians who have attempted to defeat him, including those who succeeded, such as Ehud Barak, Naftali Bennett, and Yair Lapid. It seeks to understand the formula for victory against Netanyahu and whether such a path is even feasible, drawing lessons from both victors and those who failed in their attempts.

The analysis considers the political landscape and the recurring question of how to best challenge Netanyahu's enduring political dominance, especially in the lead-up to the next election cycle.