Scars from Oct. 7 fuel deep divisions over Netanyahu ahead of Israeli election
JERUSALEM — As Israel gears up for its first elections since the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023 attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his opponents are putting it at the heart of their campaigns. Nearly every poster, stump speech or televised debate seems to reference the attack, which has scarred the country and remains fresh in the minds of voters. Three years on, the worst security failure in…
As Israel prepares for its first elections since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack, the event has become a central focus in the campaigns of both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his opponents. The attack, which resulted in the worst security failure in Israel's history, continues to weigh heavily on the minds of voters three years after the incident.
Tamar Hermann, a public opinion expert at the Israel Democracy Institute, notes that "October 7 is kind of a framework for the entire political discussion that is going on." Both sides in the election are eager to capitalize on the traumatic events of October 7. Netanyahu's opponents are seeking to hold him accountable for the failures that led to the deadliest day in Israel's 78-year history and the subsequent series of inconclusive wars.
Supporters of Netanyahu, however, argue that he was betrayed by the military establishment and that he has successfully led the country to a notable recovery from its darkest hour. Should Netanyahu's coalition fail to secure a majority in the Oct. 27 election, his political future could be in jeopardy.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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