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Netanyahu's political formula failing as base cracks

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Opinion Sources not specified Context piece
  • A commentary argues that Benjamin Netanyahu's political formula is failing as his coalition's base cracks.
  • The author points to the departures of key figures like Yuli Edelstein and Gadi Eisenkot as signs of this decline.
  • The piece contrasts political maneuvering with the sacrifices made by soldiers and their families since late 2023.

The political formula that has long sustained Benjamin Netanyahu appears to be faltering, with signs of deep cracks emerging within the social base it was designed to solidify. This assessment is underscored by the recent transitions of figures like Gadi Eisenkot and Yuli Edelstein, whose differing backgrounds and current political trajectories jointly signal a sunset for Netanyahu's prolonged career.

Netanyahu's political formula no longer works

— Article TitleThe central thesis of the opinion piece.

Edelstein, a veteran politician with extensive experience including stints as health minister and Knesset speaker, has expressed strong disapproval of the draft-evasion bill demanded by ultra-Orthodox leaders and vowed to pass by Netanyahu. Edelstein's stance reflects the revulsion felt by hundreds of thousands of right-wingers, many of whom have been on the front lines of the country's conflicts since autumn 2023, enduring personal loss and economic hardship.

Between them the two’s transitions jointly reflect the sunset of Netanyahu’s career.

— Article TextConnecting the political shifts of Eisenkot and Edelstein to Netanyahu's declining influence.

Simultaneously, Eisenkot has become a symbol of the profound grief associated with the ongoing conflict. His emergence highlights the human cost of prolonged military engagement, contrasting sharply with the political machinations occurring in Jerusalem. The article suggests that these two figures, despite their disparate paths, collectively represent a turning point away from Netanyahu's established political strategy.

By doing so, Edelstein voiced the revulsion of hundreds of thousands of Orthodox right-wingers who have borne the brunt of the fighting this country has endured since autumn 2023, with families left fatherless and businesses shuttered for hundreds of days.

— Article TextExplaining Yuli Edelstein's opposition to the draft-evasion bill and its broader implications.

The commentary draws a parallel to a seemingly unrelated incident involving U.S. President Donald Trump and a soccer match, framing it as a tale of "poetic justice." However, it emphasizes that the political shifts within Israel are far more significant than such fleeting events. The core argument is that Netanyahu's established political approach, which once commanded a strong and unified base, is no longer effective in the current landscape, leading to internal dissent and the erosion of his support structure.

Eisenkot, at the same time, became an emblem of this ordeal’s worst part: bereavement.

— Article TextHighlighting Gadi Eisenkot's role as a symbol of the human cost of the conflict.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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