Insight: Why does Netanyahu still hold control?
This leader they call "Bibi" is the worst Israeli leader in history, they claim.
Eight months ago, on October 7, Hamas crossed Israel's border with Gaza and murdered more than a thousand, kidnapped hundreds, sexually assaulted countless women, and started a bloody war there - all under Netanyahu's leadership.
On one of the worst days for the Jewish people since the Holocaust, he was still the prime minister, and now, Israel is facing a huge global backlash and international condemnation for their campaign against Hamas, which has led to unimaginable suffering in Gaza, a wave of worldwide isolation, slanderous accusations being made against Israel in courts, and even a split in support in the United States - all on Netanyahu's watch.
Yet, how is he still in his position?
In 2016, Netanyahu told CNN's Fareed Zakaria, "My first responsibility is to ensure the safety and security of the only Jewish state." Thinking he was succeeding, he said with false humility, "I would like to be remembered as the protector of Israel. That's enough for me."
But he failed at his first responsibility. He allowed Hamas to become strong in Gaza as a counterweight to the Palestinian Authority, turning the strip into a terrorist stronghold right next to Israeli population centers. The suffering in Gaza is ultimately Hamas' fault, but Israel's rushed campaign to take them down also failed to provide the needed food and essentials. And Netanyahu handled the interference by extremists with weak resolve.
Israel's longest-standing prime minister had been politically successful, but his self-serving style and rumored corruption turned many Israelis against him. It appears that staying in power had become more important to him than the country's best interests.
Last year, Netanyahu ignited strong discontent among Israelis. Week after week, and month after month, Israelis rallied against plans to "reform" the judiciary so the governing coalition could control all branches of government.
It was the result of another repugnant decision by Netanyahu - walking the dangerous path of making alliances with extremists Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir. He had no other choice but to bring these political pariahs into his government to get enough support to hold onto power. They, in turn, demanded plans that would have weakened Israeli democracy.
But the high court put a stop to it.
Netanyahu had also meddled with his country's vital relationship with the U.S., undermining the bipartisanship that has been one of the last unifying factors in polarized Washington by clearly siding with former President Donald Trump. The result? Americans' views of Israel are now colored by their opinions of Trump.
President Joe Biden is a significant backer of Israel, but younger Americans, and those who despise Trump, see Israel through that lens.
If Trump wins re-election, things will only get worse for Israel. Although Trump's undying support for Israel may initially be comforting, it pushes Israel into a corner, making support for Israel a partisan issue.
When Netanyahu congratulated Biden on his 2020 victory, Trump was furious. Yet, however upset Trump may be, it's clear he wouldn't turn his back on the Israeli leader.
Meanwhile, Hamas still has over a hundred living hostages - including American citizens - and 60,000 Israelis are still displaced from their homes in the north due to Iran-backed Hezbollah's rocket fire. The Gaza war is ongoing, and Israel is becoming more and more isolated internationally.
But with each accusation of genocide in a defensive war against a terrorist group bent on Israel's destruction, Netanyahu gains more power at home.
For Netanyahu to lose power, he would either have to resign or at least 5 of his coalition's 64 representatives in the Knesset would have to join the opposition and vote to have him removed.
The Knesset is going on a three-month break on July 28. If Netanyahu is still in office by then, he'll likely remain prime minister throughout the rest of the year; even if a vote of no confidence is cast in November, it'll take another 90 days before elections, and even longer to form a new government.
Majority of the polls suggest that Israelis want Netanyahu gone. Elections would see the opposition, led by Benny Gantz, a centrist currently on the war cabinet, becoming prime minister.
On Thursday, Gantz's National Unity Party proposed a bill to dissolve the Knesset and call for new elections this fall. But Netanyahu, who leads a coalition with a comfortable majority, may survive this challenge, as he has done with many others before.
The new legislation emerges following Gantz's ultimatum to Netanyahu. According to Gantz, Netanyahu hasn't made critical choices to ensure victory.
"A tiny group," he stated, "has taken control of the Israeli ship and is sailing it towards a wall of rocks."
By June 8th, Gantz intends to exit the cabinet and attempt to overthrow Netanyahu if Netanyahu doesn't create a strategy to accomplish six goals - including returning the hostages, establishing an international civilian governing body for Gaza, and fostering normal relations with Saudi Arabia.
Just recently, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also challenged Netanyahu. He emphasized that Hamas has mostly ceased functioning as a military force, although "the end of the military campaign must be accompanied by political action."
Netanyahu has been hesitant to discuss post-war plans for Gaza due to his far-right allies' desire to establish settlements there. If he ceases the war, these allies have threatened to withdraw their support. Netanyahu has sworn to continue fighting until Hamas is annihilated. However, Gantz predicts that Israel will confront the remnants of Hamas for years to come.
Last week, the families of hostages issued a chilling video, revealing seven young Israeli women, soldiers drenched in blood, as they were abducted by Hamas. With the corpses of their friends lying beside them, they valiantly attempted to endure their ordeal.
Five of these women are still in captivity at the hands of Hamas.
Are there five courageous individuals from Likud prepared to take the required steps to transition Israel beyond Netanyahu?
The political realm is now racing to find a path forward. If they achieve success, Israel might soon begin its next phase. Asia will find a fresh Arab-led civil government in Gaza; consider an existence strategy with Palestinians, build ties with Saudi Arabia, and reestablish its connection with other nations.
However, this is improbable as long as Netanyahu stays in control.
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Despite the international condemnation and backlash, many Israelis maintain strong opinions supporting Netanyahu's leadership, citing his perceived protection of Israel as justification.
The ongoing crisis in Gaza has sparked a divide in Israeli public opinion, with some considering Netanyahu's handling of the situation a failure, while others continue to support his approach.
