Netanyahu's Governance Fueled by Fear, Analyst Claims

An opinion piece argues that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political strategy is centered on instilling fear, which he has cultivated for over a decade through what the author terms "panic newspapers." This tactic, according to the article, is employed to manipulate public opinion and maintain his grip on power, particularly in the context of elections. The author suggests that a generation has grown up knowing only Netanyahu as prime minister, who has positioned himself as Israel's "savior."

Following his return to power in 2022, Netanyahu allegedly believed his policies had deterred Israel's enemies, including Hamas, despite internal and external intelligence warnings. The article posits that Netanyahu felt secure regarding Gaza's situation until the events of October 7, 2023, which subsequently made eliminating Hamas a top priority. The author criticizes the current far-right government for creating regional panic and facing international condemnation for its policies in the Middle East and the occupied West Bank.

The piece contends that Netanyahu's fear-based approach extends to his handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where he has sidelined the peace process in favor of economic agreements with Gulf states. The author claims Netanyahu avoids bold decisions benefiting Palestinians due to fear of backlash from right-wing factions. Furthermore, the article asserts that Netanyahu has expanded Israeli control in southern Syria and Lebanon to alleviate his own fears of the right-wing bloc, but this expansion poses a strategic threat and will likely burden future governments. The author concludes that Netanyahu's legacy is one of increased national fear, eroding Israel's internal cohesion, democracy, and international standing, and that his leadership compromises rather than enhances security.