Netanyahu Faces Political Fragmentation Amid Public Service Collapse and Ben Gurion Airport Crisis
Benjamin Netanyahu is confronting a severe crisis as his political base fragments and Israel’s public services continue to deteriorate under his leadership. The recent shutdown of Ben Gurion Airport during its busiest season epitomizes this decline. The airport strike, which led to the dismissal of 250 temporary workers without replacements, caused massive disruptions affecting tens of thousands of travelers and forced foreign airlines to turn back planes mid-flight. Despite public praise from Netanyahu and Transportation Minister Miri Regev, the crisis exposed serious managerial failures and political appointments based on loyalty rather than competence.
The article criticizes Netanyahu for fostering a culture of nepotism and political patronage within key public institutions, leading to widespread inefficiency and corruption. Examples include the transportation ministry’s failures, rising road accident fatalities under Regev’s watch, and the erosion of Israel’s judicial system. The author contrasts this with rare successes like the fire department and postal service, which have been professionalized and depoliticized.
Politically, Netanyahu’s hold on power is weakening as right-wing factions split and former military chief Gadi Eizenkot gains strength in polls. Netanyahu has only 18 days left before the Likud primaries, during which he has intensified conspiracy rhetoric and attacks on the military and judiciary to maintain control. The article also mentions the emergence of new political players like Ofer Winter, who plans to launch a party shortly before the deadline, signaling further fragmentation.
Despite the state’s institutional decay, the author credits Israeli citizens, the IDF, security agencies, and scientific institutions for sustaining the country amid chaos. However, the overall picture is one of a government struggling to govern effectively, with Netanyahu’s leadership increasingly questioned both within his party and by the public.
