{
  "id": 15353298,
  "title": "Israel’s election puzzle: Why are so many voters still backing Netanyahu? - opinion",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/israels-election-puzzle-why-are-so-many-voters-still-backing",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T05:16:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-911824"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "After living in Israel for 32 years, the author finally grasps the complexities of Israeli voters' support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite the failure of the military and political establishment following the Oct. 7, 2023 attack, recent polls show the current coalition tied with opposition parties and even scoring a victory in a pro-government Channel 14 poll. The author, who is not part of the typical Anglo bubble, realizes that Israelis outside this group are less familiar with the situation.\n\nOn October 8, many predicted the coalition would collapse. However, the coalition remained in power, and Likud party regained much, if not all, of its support. This turnaround is inexplicable in southern Jerusalem, where the anniversary of Oct. 7 does not affect voter decisions. Even as new instances of corruption and disregard surface, Likud voters remain steadfast.\n\nThe author attributes this support to racism, citing campaign materials promoting anti-Arab sentiments. Billboards reading \"Yamin or Palestine\" and insensitive AI ads featuring opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot are examples of such messaging. The author personally experienced equality at Hadassah-University Medical Center, where Arab doctors and nurses provided excellent care. The opposition's leader, Naftali Bennett, has proposed detailed plans to address issues like transportation, education, and the military, but the opposition struggles with a consistent strategy.\n\nNetanyahu's age, health issues, and potential legal troubles remain uncertain. The author still plans to vote for Bennett, hoping his victory will inspire a shift in public opinion and help repair the country he loves.",
  "summary": "Three years after October 7, Netanyahu remains competitive. Racism, opposition disunity, and voter loyalty may explain why Israel’s political landscape hasn’t changed.",
  "key_points": [
    "Many Israelis still support Netanyahu despite coalition's failures.",
    "Racism attributed to voter support, evidenced by anti-Arab campaign materials."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The persistence of Likud support despite military failures and corruption scandals suggests that divisive campaign messaging and identity politics are successfully overriding the opposition's policy-driven alternatives.",
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/15353298.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Israel's opposition will not defeat Netanyahu by focusing on October 7 - opinion",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/israels-opposition-will-not-defeat-netanyahu-by-focusing-on-october-7",
        "published": "2026-10-18T05:16:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Desperate for change, Israel’s Arab minority sees election as existential",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/desperate-for-change-israels-arab-minority-sees-election-as",
        "published": "2026-10-18T07:24:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}