Netanyahu gains politically from prolonging Israel's wars before October vote
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has no political incentive to end Israel's wars because continued fighting preserves his 'Mr Security' image before October elections. US Middle East envoy Jared Kushner met Netanyahu on Monday but left with no visible progress on President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan, which Israel rejected last week after Hamas accepted it. Forty-five percent of Israelis oppose a Gaza peace deal, and two-thirds want continued Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon.
Key Facts
- Israel rejected President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan last week after Hamas accepted it.
- US Middle East envoy Jared Kushner met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to discuss the Gaza peace plan.
- Forty-five percent of Israelis oppose a peace deal for Gaza, 37 percent want a return to fighting in the strip, and 17 percent want the status quo maintained.
- Two-thirds of Israelis want Israeli occupation of parts of southern Lebanon to continue to retain a 'security belt'.
- Nearly half of Israelis want major military action against Iran to continue.
Kushner's Visit
US Middle East envoy Jared Kushner met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel on Monday. The focus of the discussion was President Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza, which Israel rejected last week after Hamas accepted it. Kushner described the meeting as 'good' but gave no sign of progress and downplayed the Israeli rejection in a Fox News interview. The White House initiative has drawn criticism that the peace plan is failing.
Netanyahu's Political Calculus
Netanyahu insists Hamas disarm first before Israel fulfils any commitments and holds the same position on Lebanon, which negotiators see as obstructive. His ultimate goal is to delay negotiations and avoid closing any deal because ending Israel's wars yields no political benefit for him. As long as Israel fights on any front — Iran, the Palestinians, Hezbollah or Syria — Netanyahu can present himself as 'Mr Security', the only leader capable of managing the multifront threat. Maintaining that image before October elections is particularly important.
Israeli Public Opinion
Polling shows 45 percent of Israelis oppose a Gaza peace deal, 37 percent favor renewed fighting, and 17 percent prefer the status quo. Two-thirds of Israelis want Israeli occupation of parts of southern Lebanon to continue to retain a 'security belt'. Nearly half of Israelis want major military action against Iran to continue. Many of these pro-war voters form part of Netanyahu's potential support base and see him as the only politician with enough experience and toughness to face a broadly hostile world.
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Netanyahu gains politically from prolonging Israel's wars before October vote
