Netanyahu's political survival on line as Israel votes

Jerusalem — Israel's long-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is in a tight spot as he fights to keep his political grip during the country's upcoming election on Tuesday. The voters are evaluating his rule following the 2023 Hamas-led strikes, the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and with Iran, and Israel's growing diplomatic isolation.

Despite being Israel's longest-serving leader, holding the position for 19 years, Netanyahu remains a resilient figure in Israeli politics. His party, Likud, along with right-wing allies, is currently in a close contest with a rival coalition headed by Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff and a staunch advocate for security.

Polls indicate a neck-and-neck battle between Netanyahu's Likud party and Eisenkot's alliance. Netanyahu is running on his track record of wartime leadership and his alliance with U.S. President Donald Trump. The U.S. president has publicly endorsed Netanyahu and has even joined Israel in the ongoing operation against Iran. During a recent interview, Netanyahu stated that Trump is prepared to take further action to "completely" eliminate the Iranian threat, but only if Netanyahu continues to hold the prime minister's chair.

Eisenkot, on the other hand, has criticized Netanyahu for relying too heavily on a campaign of fear and insecurity.