As Israel prepares for upcoming elections, the ongoing Israel Iran war has created a significant political moment for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Analysts believe the conflict may help him rebuild his public image, which suffered heavily after the October 7, 2023 Gaza attack. However, experts caution that any political advantage will depend on how the war develops and how long it continues.
Following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in coordinated US Israeli strikes, Netanyahu declared that his strong relationship with Washington had enabled Israel to carry out what he had long aimed to achieve. He described the action as a decisive strike against what he called a terrorist regime.
The Gaza war had weakened Netanyahu’s popularity, with critics accusing him of failing to prevent the deadliest attack in Israel’s history. At 76, the long serving leader of the Likud party has spent over 18 years in office across multiple terms. Despite his political resilience, he currently lacks a stable parliamentary majority and faces an ongoing corruption trial.
Political observers suggest Netanyahu may call early elections before the October deadline. Recent opinion polls show Likud leading, but without a clear majority. A successful outcome in the Israel Iran war could strengthen his position and possibly shift the political balance in his favor.
Still, not everyone is convinced. Some commentators argue that even if Netanyahu presents the conflict as a total victory, regional threats remain. Iran continues to pose strategic challenges, and public patience for a prolonged war is limited. Rising living costs and security concerns could quickly shift voter sentiment.
Experts also note that much of Israel’s military success is credited to the armed forces and civilian resilience rather than solely to political leadership. If the conflict drags on with heavy casualties, the political impact may not favor Netanyahu as strongly as expected.
