Accusations of genocide and corruption: Netanyahu had a good year

Accusations of genocide and corruption: Netanyahu had a good year

A year ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu found himself in a deep political crisis. Nadav Shtrauchler, a political strategist who works closely with Netanyahu, said: "He was in a very bad place - the lowest point he had ever reached." On October 7, the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust, many Israelis accused him of failing to act. Some even blamed him for the attack enabled by supporting Hamas financially. His political support was dismal - although the war in Gaza allowed him to ignore calls for new elections. Polls suggested support for his Likud party was down 25% compared to three months earlier. But the year that followed was anything but optimistic, bringing tens of thousands of deaths, regional conflicts, accusations and accusations of ethnic cleansing and genocide. Nevertheless, at the end of the year, Netanyahu significantly changed his position in Israel.

Netanyahu as “Mr. Security”

Netanyahu has spent the year managing the since-expanding regional conflict - in some cases, critics say, even stoking it - while strengthening his political base at home. Dahlia Scheindlin, a political analyst, said: “2024 was the year he began to recover from the very serious losses to his public image.” If elections were held today, Likud would lose a few seats, but support has returned to pre-October 7 levels. The opposition, represented by people like the former General Benny Gantz, has subsided. Netanyahu has the opposition blinded, by firing Yoav Gallant as defense minister and bringing compliant politicians into his government. This decision reduces the risk that extreme right or ultra-Orthodox parties will collapse the coalition.

Dealing with the crisis

Despite the ongoing humanitarian crises in the Gaza Strip, where posters with the faces of hostages decorate Israeli streets, the significance of the regional conflict has diminished. This situation was crucial to his success, argues Scheindlin. He has positioned himself as the only leader willing and able to defend the Jewish people and prevent the creation of a Palestinian state. For many Israelis he is once again “Mr. Security”.

“The moment that Hezbollah "It became something that went beyond Netanyahu's failure or his government's failure." Despite his ongoing corruption investigation and an international arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes, Netanyahu believes this is evidence he is fighting the “deep state.”

Political support and international relations

He repeatedly utters familiar slogans that are as hollow as they are comforting: “A Palestinian state is a reward for terrorism” and Israel will achieve “total victories.” Although Iran remains a familiar bogeyman, Shtrauchler argues that the aggressive military campaign played against the "orthodox" instincts of Netanyahu, who before October 7 was considered relatively cautious about using adventurous military tactics abroad. “He knows how to adapt a situation,” Shtrauchler said. “Politically, in November or October of last year, no one would have believed that this would be his status now.”

Results and outlook

Even if Netanyahu is in a better position politically at the end of the year than at the beginning of the year, his future is anything but secure. Israeli politics remains fragmented, and he is a somewhat polarizing figure. His governing coalition has gained stability, but remains fragile. Israel could suffer lasting damage to its international image. A ceasefire and a hostage deal in the Gaza Strip appear close but remain vague. Even though Iran is weakened, it still poses a serious threat. "If you look at it like a movie, we haven't seen the last scene yet," Shtrauchler said.