{
  "id": 8131741,
  "title": "Netanyahu kicks off election campaign with security-focused speech",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/netanyahu-kicks-off-election-campaign-with-security-focused-speech",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T23:55:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/09/18/netanyahu-kicks-off-election-campaign-with-security-focused-speech"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his Likud party's election campaign on Thursday with a security-focused speech in Jerusalem. The Likud party unveiled new team members for the upcoming elections.\n\nDespite criticism over the government's inability to prevent the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack, Netanyahu insisted that he and his party are the only ones capable of guaranteeing Israel's security. He outlined Israeli military operations conducted in Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza since 2023, emphasizing the need to complete the mission and destroy Hezbollah and Hamas.\n\nNetanyahu accused his rivals of seeking territorial concessions and highlighted the presence of Israeli troops in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza as proof of Israel's expansionist approach. He reiterated his claim of having transformed the Middle East but did not provide details.\n\nAs the most right-wing government in Israeli history, Netanyahu heads a government that has been involved in multiple wars and expanded settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, an act deemed illegal under international law. The country has experienced increased violence since the Gaza war began.\n\nFacing several corruption charges, Netanyahu is the first head of government to go through a criminal trial. Opinion polls suggest that the October 27 elections will be closely contested, with Netanyahu and his far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies opposing the centrist Gadi Eisenkot, who is backed by parties from both the right and the left.",
  "summary": "Benjamin Netanyahu insists only he and his party can guarantee Israel's security despite criticism over the failure to prevent the Oct 7 Hamas-led attack.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Netanyahu kicks off election campaign with security-focused speech",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/netanyahu-kicks-off-election-campaign-with-security-focused-speech-8132566",
        "published": "2026-09-17T23:55:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}