Netanyahu Secures Likud Primaries Amidst Right-Wing Security Debate Ahead of Elections

This week, former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett presented detailed security doctrines aimed at positioning themselves and other right-wing leaders like Avigdor Lieberman as alternatives to Benjamin Netanyahu. Their speeches emphasized a hardline approach to Israel's security challenges in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, and Syria, promising swift and decisive military solutions that Netanyahu has allegedly failed to deliver over years of ongoing conflict. Despite their tough rhetoric, all three have previously sought ceasefires with Hamas in exchange for hostage releases, revealing a gap between their public posturing and past actions.

The fundamental divide between Netanyahu’s security approach and that of his rivals lies in territorial control. Netanyahu’s government has pursued a policy of physical separation from Israel’s enemies by expanding Israeli-controlled buffer zones in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, creating empty zones free of civilians between Israeli communities and hostile forces. This policy, solidified after the October 7 attacks, is non-negotiable for Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition partners, who intend to maintain and possibly expand these areas. Opposition parties, by contrast, view these territories as temporary and are open to relinquishing them in exchange for political or security agreements.

This ideological split also extends to the West Bank, where right-wing governments plan to continue settlement expansion and land acquisition, while left-wing governments would halt or even reverse such developments. This clear security and territorial divide is shaping voter choices ahead of the September 8 election.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu celebrated a significant victory in the Likud primaries, securing a strong and loyal slate of candidates, including prominent figures like Eli Cohen and Miri Regev. Despite rumors of internal conflicts and attempts to cancel the primaries, Netanyahu maintained democratic processes within the party and emerged with a list he can confidently present to the public. The primaries also exposed the limited influence of ultra-Orthodox factions within Likud, despite media speculation about their growing control.

Opposition parties, including those led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, continue to lose support to former IDF Chief Benny Gantz, while centrist parties struggle to maintain relevance. Bennett’s faction faces internal challenges, with many new candidates lacking parliamentary experience and limited public engagement. The political landscape remains fragmented, with Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc consolidating power and the opposition searching for a unifying message.

As the election approaches, voters face a clear choice between competing security visions and political strategies, with Netanyahu’s approach emphasizing territorial control and military deterrence, and his opponents advocating for negotiated compromises and territorial concessions.