Netanyahu Campaigns on Security Doctrine Ahead of Israeli Election
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is campaigning for the October 27 national election, promoting a new security doctrine focused on preemptive strikes and dismantling the Iranian regime.
Israel is preparing for its first general election since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, with voting scheduled for Tuesday. The race has tightened between incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party and Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the centrist Yashar party. While Netanyahu maintains support in strongholds like Dimona, data from the Israel Democracy Institute indicates a decline in Likud's popularity, with only 55% of 2022 Likud voters intending to support the party again.
To secure reelection, Netanyahu has introduced a new national security doctrine that prioritizes offensive operations and preemptive strikes over containment. His second-term agenda includes dismantling the Iranian regime, expanding the Abraham Accords, and preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state. Likud candidates are framing the contest as a choice between this victory-oriented worldview and an outdated Oslo-era mindset.
Beyond security, Likud is promoting domestic priorities including the potential reintroduction of judicial reform and increased state presence in the Galilee and Negev regions. Candidates such as Almog Cohen have proposed infrastructure projects, including an international airport in the Negev, to strengthen the national footprint. Meanwhile, Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff, is actively campaigning to attract disenchanted Likud supporters.
