Title: Netanyahu’s Political Fortunes Shift Amid Rising Tensions with Iran
Since the Hamas-led attack on Israel last October, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future has been in question, with critics blaming him for security failures and his poll ratings plummeting. However, a recent confrontation between Israel and Iran has helped change the dynamic, boosting Netanyahu’s domestic position.
The conflict with Iran, which escalated this week with retaliatory strikes from both sides, has shifted attention away from Netanyahu’s perceived failings in the war against Hamas in Gaza. This has allowed Netanyahu to showcase his strengths in handling international threats, particularly from Iran.
Despite still trailing in the polls, Netanyahu’s approval ratings have edged up, narrowing the gap with his main rival. Analysts attribute this limited recovery to the conflict with Iran, which has highlighted Netanyahu’s experience and ability to navigate international tensions.
While some Israelis question Netanyahu’s strategy in Gaza, there is less suspicion about his approach to Iran. He is seen as cautiously managing the situation to keep Iran at bay without sparking an all-out war.
Netanyahu’s ability to bounce back in the face of challenges has been a hallmark of his political career. However, analysts caution that it is still too early to predict his success in the next election, as tensions with Iran could ease and other domestic crises could arise.
Despite ongoing protests against his government, the lack of a unifying rallying cry has slowed momentum. Netanyahu’s rival, Benny Gantz, has also failed to provide a clear alternative to Netanyahu’s wartime strategy, further bolstering Netanyahu’s position.
As the conflict with Iran continues and the Gaza war drags on, Netanyahu’s revival may continue. The public’s focus on the ongoing war effort may deter large-scale protests against Netanyahu, allowing him to maintain his political advantage for the time being.
