How Netanyahu’s political fate is tied to the war on Gaza
Mar 25, 2025
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Daniel Levy, President of the U.S. Middle East Project and former Israeli negotiator, dives deep into Israel's political landscape as Prime Minister Netanyahu faces intense protests and significant political turmoil. They discuss how Netanyahu's attempts to consolidate power amidst a ceasefire are influencing military strategies and internal governance. The implications of Netanyahu's corruption trial, and its impact on his leadership, further complicate the current crisis, all while Palestinian rights are overshadowed in the turmoil.
Netanyahu's dismissal of intelligence officials amidst protests highlights the intersection of political strategy and security failures in Israel's governance.
The ongoing war on Gaza serves as a critical component of Netanyahu's tactics to consolidate power while navigating internal dissent and international relations.
Deep dives
Political Turmoil and Protests in Israel
Mass protests have erupted in Israel surrounding the government's decision to dismiss Ronan Barr, the head of the Shin Bet Internal Intelligence Agency, amidst ongoing tensions from the October 7th attacks. Barr's dismissal is viewed as a strategic move by Prime Minister Netanyahu to deflect blame for security failures leading up to the attacks. The protests feature diverse groups; some focus on internal governance issues, such as the proposed judicial overhaul, while others spotlight the plight of hostages held by Hamas, reflecting a complex interplay between political unrest and security concerns. Additionally, there is a smaller group advocating for Palestinian rights, underscoring the multifaceted nature of dissent within Israeli society.
Netanyahu's Coalition and Military Strategy
Netanyahu's political survival strategy involves maintaining a war footing, particularly through military actions in the West Bank during periods of ceasefire in Gaza. His government faced internal challenges as one coalition faction withdrew, threatening his majority and prompting him to launch aggressive military campaigns to appease hardliners. By showcasing military strength, Netanyahu aims to stabilize his coalition and push through critical legislation, such as passing the state budget. This focus on militaristic outcomes serves both to consolidate his power and to distract from his political vulnerabilities, including ongoing corruption trials.
U.S. Relations and Netanyahu's Tactical Maneuvers
Netanyahu's approach to U.S. relations is characterized by leveraging perceptions of continual conflict to maintain support from the Biden administration. He presents himself as a wartime leader, framing the ongoing violence as critical to Israel's survival and thus seeking to rally both national and international support. While negotiations for ceasefire were challenged, Netanyahu appears adept at manipulating the situation to reinforce his authority while sidestepping legal consequences related to his corruption trials. The landscape suggests a reliance not just on military might, but also on the political acumen to navigate complex relations with the U.S. and his domestic opposition.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to remove senior government officials, including the head of the Shin Bet internal intelligence agency as well as the attorney general. Intense protests have erupted once again in Israel, as critics accuse the prime minister's actions of being politically motivated and of breaking the ceasefire with Hamas to stay in power. What does this increasing political pressure mean for Israel's war on Gaza?
In this episode:
Daniel Levy, President of the U.S/Middle East Project
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan and Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Hanah Shokheir Remas Alhawari, and our guest host, Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is the Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.
