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.
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. 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. This stirred concerns and protests over security failure and hostage releases.
Mr. Netanyahu then promised a “total victory” over Hamas and other enemies.
Three years later, the war is still dragging on inconclusively. What began as Israel’s response to the Hamas attack spiralled into an all-out regional conflict in West Asia, with the country launching attacks in Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria.
His involvement of the U.S. in its war against Iran on February 28 has impacted countries much beyond West Asia, as it disrupted global energy supply.
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.
According to a Pew Research Centre survey conducted earlier this year, majorities in more than thirty surveyed countries expressed unfavourable views of Israel and little or no confidence in Mr. Netanyahu. Even within Israel, the military actions have not alleviated the security concerns. A survey by the Israel Democracy Institute in July this year showed that only a little over one-third of Israelis think that the security situation is better than what it was before ‘Operation Roaring Lion’. The constant state of conflict has also come at severe domestic costs— high inflation, a high cost of living, longer and more exhausting service for Army personnel, a soaring national debt, and declining business investment.
Further, he has been accused of weakening the judiciary and endangering democracy with his far-right government.
For Mr. Netanyahu, the longest-serving Prime Minister seeking the seventh term, a lot is at stake personally too.
Legal troubles
According to Arik Rudnitzky, from the Israel Democracy Institute in Jerusalem, these elections are the most decisive political test for Mr. Netanyahu as the leader of the Likud Party. He told The Hindu: “I believe these elections are crucial to the political future of Netanyahu. 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 corruption trial, which began in 2020, has been under way for six years now. Mr. Netanyahu has been indicted on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He has, however, denied these charges, and the case continues in court. Without the political power, reports suggest that Mr. Netanyahu would have fewer chances of gaining immunity or reasons to postpone hearings.
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. The warrants were issued in response to accusations of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza. Israel has denied these allegations.
While the case is still at a pre-trial stage, it has impacted his travel to ICC member countries, and the scope could become much weaker if he loses his power.
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.
Mr. Rudnitzky said, “There is the question whether Netanyahu can serve as the leader of the Likud… Although the Likud, to some extent, retained its 20 seats according to recent polls, it is 30% lower or one-third of its power, compared to the past four years. In past years, the Likud’s power ranged between 30 and 36 seats. So, there’s a significant loss of power, and this is why I believe that these elections are the deterministic political test for Netanyahu as the leader of the Likud.”
The October Council — a group founded by the families of victims and hostages taken by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023 — which organised the latest protest, reasoned it as the “culminating event marking three years of struggle” to demand accountability and establish a state commission of inquiry.
These are the very demands that other contesting parties have made as central promises of their electoral campaigns.
Published – October 27, 2026 06:10 am IST
