Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is positioning himself for the 2026 general election, portraying his leadership as the reason for the country’s survival following years of conflict with Hamas, Iran, and other regional adversaries.
Once written off politically after the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, Netanyahu has launched a campaign-style push highlighting what he calls his government’s “military successes” and renewed national security. In a speech to parliament this week, the 76-year-old leader said Israel’s bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities in June and strikes against proxy groups had ensured “unprecedented national safety.”
“If my opponents were in charge,” he warned lawmakers, “all citizens of Israel would go up in atomic smoke.”
Despite ongoing legal troubles and international criticism over the war in Gaza, Netanyahu remains Israel’s most popular political figure in polls. Surveys show that neither his right-wing coalition nor the opposition bloc currently commands a clear majority, raising the prospect of another period of political gridlock reminiscent of 2019–2022, when Israel held five elections in four years.
Netanyahu has led Israel for 17 non-consecutive years, making him the country’s longest-serving leader. His supporters credit him with strengthening Israel’s regional position, while critics say his leadership has deepened the country’s isolation. Columnist Sever Plocker of Yedioth Ahronoth wrote this week that Netanyahu is “one of the most hated statesmen in the world” and that Israel “is more isolated than ever before.”
The prime minister’s tenure has been marked by mounting international scrutiny. The International Criminal Court has indicted him for alleged war crimes in Gaza, and he is currently on trial in Tel Aviv for bribery and fraud — charges he denies. Meanwhile, Israel’s economy remains weakened by wartime mobilization, with GDP still below pre-conflict levels.
Netanyahu’s governing alliance with ultra-nationalist and ultra-Orthodox parties also faces strains. Disputes over military conscription exemptions for Haredi men and the slow pace of demilitarizing Gaza have threatened to fracture the coalition. Far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir have called for resettling Gaza and annexing the West Bank — positions at odds with both Netanyahu and former U.S. President Donald Trump, a key ally.
Trump, who has urged Israel to focus on reconstruction in Gaza, remains a central figure in Netanyahu’s political calculus. His administration played a visible role in recent hostage negotiations, and his public call for Israel’s president to pardon Netanyahu drew attention in Jerusalem.
“Trump effectively launched Netanyahu’s election campaign,” said political strategist Nadav Shtrauchler, a former Netanyahu adviser. “The prime minister is counting on Trump’s presence moving forward. They are fully coordinated.”
Despite speculation about an early vote, Netanyahu signaled this week that he intends to serve out his term, saying he hopes to pass the 2026 budget “soon.” His allies argue the government remains stable; his critics say he is buying time to rebuild support.
For now, Netanyahu appears to be betting that portraying himself as Israel’s savior — militarily and politically — will be enough to keep him in power.
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