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Netanyahu’s legacy: Personality politics reshapes Israeli democracy
Benjamin Netanyahu called for a national unity government at the new Knesset’s swearing-in, as the opposition, which holds a majority of seats, seeks to replace him. His appeal, which included accusations against Palestinian citizens’ representatives, was met with heckling and walkouts, and the opposition’s Gadi Eisenkot cancelled planned talks with Netanyahu and called him “unfit for office”. The confrontation highlights how strongly Israeli politics has come to revolve around individual leaders.
Netanyahu’s political future depends on whether Eisenkot can form a viable government; if he loses office, his corruption trial will continue and an inquiry into his government’s handling of the 7 October 2023 attack is likely. University of Essex specialist Roi Zur said Netanyahu helped turn Likud into a populist party and made voters more likely to identify with leaders such as Netanyahu, Naftali Bennett or Eisenkot than with parties. Pollster Dahlia Schneidlin also observed that campaigns have become more personalised, despite elections being based largely on party lists.
In short
- Netanyahu urged unity as opponents seek to form a government.
- The opposition holds a parliamentary majority but coalition talks remain uncertain.
- Leader-focused politics may endure beyond Netanyahu’s time in office.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Personalised leadership can make politics more responsive by giving voters clear, recognisable figures to assess and hold accountable. Supporters of Netanyahu’s approach might argue that a strong leader can unite a fractured electorate, advance a coherent programme and provide continuity during a period of serious security and political strain.
The case against
When politics centres on individual leaders, parties and institutions can lose authority, and public debate may become a contest over loyalty or character rather than policy. Critics would argue that this weakens democratic accountability and makes governing harder when leaders are treated as indispensable or opponents are cast as illegitimate.
Explained simply
Israel is a parliamentary democracy, where voters choose parties and seats in the Knesset are allocated broadly in proportion to each party’s support. Because no party usually wins a majority alone, leaders often need to build coalitions with other parties to govern.
Benjamin Netanyahu has led Likud for much of the past two decades and has been a central figure in Israeli politics. Other prominent figures include Naftali Bennett, a former prime minister, and Gadi Eisenkot, an opposition politician; Palestinian citizens of Israel also elect representatives to the Knesset.
Netanyahu faces a corruption trial, and his government’s actions around the 7 October 2023 attack may be examined by an inquiry. The focus on prominent leaders matters because it can shape how voters choose between parties and how political disputes are fought.
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