30 years after Netanyahu’s victory in 1996: How the comeback marvel changed Israel - opinion

The 1996 Israeli prime minister election was a watershed moment, pitting Benjamin Netanyahu against incumbent Shimon Peres in a contest deeply scarred by the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin the previous year. The nation was fractured, with the left-wing camp and Peres's government initially enjoying public support, while the right-wing and Netanyahu faced accusations of creating an atmosphere of incitement. Netanyahu, despite facing a significant deficit in polls and intense pressure, adopted a cautious stance, condemning the murder while continuing to warn against the Oslo Accords.

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Rabin is wrong but not a traitor

The campaign presented starkly different visions for Israel's future. The Peres camp championed the continuation of the Oslo process, stability, and the promise of a "new Middle East" under the slogan "Peres will divide the peace." In contrast, the Netanyahu camp zeroed in on personal security, capitalizing on a wave of Hamas suicide bombings in early 1996. Slogans like "Netanyahu – making a safe peace" and "Peres will divide Jerusalem" directly addressed the public's heightened security concerns.

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Peres will divide the peace

Netanyahu navigated accusations of moral failings and a hostile media environment, while Peres's public image suffered from a perceived collapse in street security. Operation Grapes of Wrath in Lebanon and the Kafr Kanna disaster further drew criticism, making Peres appear disconnected from the public. The election night itself was dramatic; initial projections favored Peres, leading to dejection at Likud headquarters. However, as votes from the periphery, immigrant communities, and right-wing areas poured in after 3 a.m., the gap narrowed and reversed. Netanyahu ultimately secured a victory by less than 1%, a result that stunned the nation.

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Netanyahu – making a safe peace