Netanyahu’s Party Banking on Public Memory Loss as Election Looms

Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party are attempting to reinvent themselves ahead of elections by adopting a more statesmanlike posture and shifting their positions on military conscription and security matters. The move comes as the government seeks to rehabilitate its image following a series of high-profile failures and controversial policies. However, critics argue the party is underestimating the Israeli public’s awareness of recent events and decisions.

The leadership has faced significant backlash over what opponents characterise as government mismanagement, alongside divisive legislative efforts related to military service exemptions. These policies have been particularly contentious among secular Israelis and those who believe the burden of military service should be shared more equally across society.

According to observers, the Netanyahu-led coalition believes it can convince voters to move past these controversies through a tactical repositioning on key issues. The party hopes to present itself as focused on national security and stability rather than the polarising domestic policies that have dominated recent months. Yet political analysts suggest that the public’s trust in the government has been substantially eroded, making such a transformation difficult to achieve through messaging alone.

Source: Maariv — Original article in Hebrew.