Netanyahu’s latest moves—from firing his attorney general to stalling hostage deals—reveal not strategy but survival, leaving Israel isolated abroad and adrift in a war without end.
Benjamin Netanyahu has long presented himself as a master strategist, always calculating and always in control. Yet today he stands as Israel’s most enigmatic leader, presiding over a war in Gaza that has no clear end, no settled objectives, and no convincing plan for the “day after.” His recent attempt to strike Hamas leaders in Qatar was framed as a bold step toward freeing hostages, but it failed to eliminate its targets and instead alienated mediators whose cooperation is essential (Reuters). The paradox is striking: each move meant to project strength deepens Israel’s isolation and makes resolution more elusive.
At home, Netanyahu has crossed new red lines. He dismissed Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara after months of clashes in which she warned against executive overreach and urged him to respect court rulings. Her firing signified a direct assault on Israel’s legal order. The Supreme Court has struck down key elements of Netanyahu’s agenda: the law curbing judicial “reasonableness” review (Reuters), the appointment of Aryeh Deri despite his criminal conviction (The Guardian), and the ultra-Orthodox draft exemption (Financial Times). Yet Netanyahu often resists or sidesteps these rulings, treating the Court’s authority as optional. The coalition bind deepens the crisis. The Court’s ruling on drafting yeshiva students collides with ultra-Orthodox demands for exemptions.[1]
The IDF Chief of Staff warns of a critical manpower shortage, yet Netanyahu clings to a coalition that may collapse if he enforces the ruling (Reuters). Meanwhile, former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar revealed in a sworn affidavit that Netanyahu demanded “personal loyalty” and even obedience to him over the Supreme Court—alleging his removal was driven not by performance but by refusal to pledge such loyalty (Times of Israel).
The hostage issue remains a wound at Israel’s core. Families accuse Netanyahu of sabotaging opportunities for release. Even Donald Trump voiced frustration, saying “every time they’re making progress, it seems like he bombs someone” (Times of Israel). Strikes that undercut negotiations suggest a leader willing to sacrifice relief for gestures of strength.
The Gaza war itself has become endless, largely because its goals remain undefined. Netanyahu speaks of eliminating Hamas, freeing hostages, and restoring security—but without roadmaps, timelines, or credible post-war governance plans. Analysts warn that without clarity, Israel risks being trapped in a “forever war” that drains resources and corrodes legitimacy (CSIS).
The cost is visible in mounting international isolation. In September 2025, the UN General Assembly approved the “New York Declaration,” calling for “time-bound and irreversible steps” toward a two-state solution, with 142 nations in favor and just 10 opposed—leaving Israel and a handful of allies increasingly alone (AP News). Earlier in June, the European Council demanded an immediate ceasefire, unconditional release of hostages, and compliance with international law (European Council). On July 21, more than 20 countries, among them the UK, France, and Canada, joined a joint statement condemning Israel over what they called “inhumane killing” of civilians and critically alarming gaps in humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza (Reuters).
What emerges is not grand strategy but political survival. Netanyahu bends institutions, defies the Court, silences his legal adviser, appeases coalition partners, and projects strength abroad, even at the expense of diplomacy and unity. His enigma is not hidden brilliance, but the persistence of survival instinct. Institutions weaken, allies drift, hostages remain captive, and the war grinds on without resolution.
Elections are therefore not just desirable but imperative. Only a new mandate can restore clarity of purpose, rebuild trust, and prevent the further deterioration of Israel’s democracy and standing in the world. Without such a reset, Netanyahu’s enigmatic leadership may become the very reason Israel remains trapped in a war without end—isolated, estranged, and stripped of legitimacy. Only elections can end both the enigma and the endless war.
[1] A tension I also explored in my earlier post, https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/from-shtadlanut-to-state-budgets-prudence-power-and-exploitation/
Dr. Levy is a Scientist, Entrepreneur, Founder, and CEO specializing in the biomedical and medical devices sectors, and he is also a practicing lawyer. Additionally, he serves as an Executive Fellow at Woxsen University in Telangana, India.