Netanyahu Defies All Odds, Completes Full Term Amidst Turmoil and Controversy

Four years after the devastating October 7 attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has completed a full term in office, defying widespread predictions of his political downfall. Despite facing intense public opposition, internal coalition threats, and calls for his resignation, Netanyahu expanded his coalition to 68 Knesset seats, appointed key security officials, and passed controversial legislation.

In the immediate aftermath of the October 7 massacre, some coalition members, including Minister Bezalel Smotrich, warned Netanyahu that his government had only days of legitimacy left. Yet, contrary to expectations, the coalition survived multiple crises and remained intact through four years, with Netanyahu maintaining his grip on power. He appointed new heads of the military, Mossad, and Shin Bet, dismissed the defense minister, and blocked the establishment of a state inquiry into the worst security failure in Israel’s history.

Political commentator Menachem Horowitz contrasts Netanyahu’s resilience with a hypothetical scenario where other leaders such as Yair Lapid or Naftali Bennett were in power during the attack. He argues that under their leadership, the government would have collapsed within weeks. Netanyahu’s ability to manage political alliances, suppress dissent within his party, and push through divisive laws despite public backlash is described as a rare political skill.

The article highlights Netanyahu’s long-standing reputation as a master politician who repeatedly overcomes crises and predictions of defeat. Despite ongoing challenges, including an open war front, Iran’s strengthened position, and contentious domestic issues like ultra-Orthodox conscription, Netanyahu’s coalition remains stable. Polls suggest his bloc is far from a majority for the next election, yet his political acumen may yet reshape the landscape.

Horowitz concludes that Netanyahu’s survival and success in such adverse conditions make him a unique figure in Israeli politics, often underestimated but consistently prevailing. The article suggests that betting against Netanyahu in future elections remains unwise given his proven ability to adapt and endure.