Thousands took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday (October 24, 2026), demanding accountability for the failure to prevent the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. The anti-government demonstration came just three days ahead of what is being described as one of Israel’s most consequential elections.
In less than a year of him taking the seat as Prime Minister in 2022, Israel witnessed the Hamas attack in which more than 1,200 were killed, and about 250 were taken hostage. The protest adds to the pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose bid to retain power comes amid mounting criticism of his government’s handling of domestic and international issues. For most of Mr. Netanyahu’s latest term, Israel has been embroiled in one conflict or the other. This stirred concerns and protests over security failure and hostage releases. He has also intensified Israel’s operations in the West Bank and has increased settlement projects in the region. This has not only severely impacted his ratings as a Prime Minister but has also isolated Israel internationally. For Mr. Netanyahu, the longest-serving Prime Minister seeking the seventh term, a lot is at stake personally too.
Netanyahu as the leader of the Likud Party. If he no longer serves as Prime Minister, then he has to face his legal issues, and especially the file is being handled right now in court, with the accusations that he has to defend himself. The warrants were issued in response to accusations of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza. Israel has denied these allegations.
He is also officially a ‘wanted man’ by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued arrest warrants for the Israeli Prime Minister on November 21, 2024.
From the Israel Democracy Institute in Jerusalem, these elections are the most decisive political test for Mr, according to Arik Rudnitzky. He told The Hindu : “I believe these elections are crucial to the political future of Netanyahu.
His loss will also impact the Likud party, which he joined in the 1980s and through which he went on to become the country’s youngest Prime Minister at the age of 46 in 1996.
