Contributor
Dr. Avner Inbar
Co-founder and senior fellow
Netanyahu keeps winning because his opponents lack a vision for Israel
While many Israelis find Netanyahu's actions and style odious, his opponents persistently fail to realize that in politics, a flawed something is still better than nothing
To read the full anaylsis on WPR, click here
(Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu’s appeal stems from his association with a worldview that is proud, uncompromising and unyielding when it comes to Israel’s identity, national security and international standing. Indeed, for many Israelis, he personifies this approach. Unlike his challengers in four consecutive elections, Netanyahu stands for something. While many Israelis find his actions and style odious, his opponents persistently fail to realize that in politics, a flawed something is still better than nothing.
Netanyahu is often wrongly portrayed as a political opportunist. But, as I have argued before, he is actually the only politician who has a serious vision for Israel. While reprehensible and ultimately disastrous for Israel, this vision undergirds Netanyahu’s confidence that he knows what is best for the country and can be trusted with its future. The way to beat him, therefore, is not to insinuate that too many years in power have corrupted his commitment to the national interest. The way to beat Netanyahu is to explain why his vision for Israel is wrong: to attack his somber outlook on Israel’s place in the world, and offer a different—indeed, radically different—path forward for the Jewish state.
To read the full anaylsis on WPR, click here
Originally published on WPR, May 3, 2019
(Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu’s appeal stems from his association with a worldview that is proud, uncompromising and unyielding when it comes to Israel’s identity, national security and international standing. Indeed, for many Israelis, he personifies this approach. Unlike his challengers in four consecutive elections, Netanyahu stands for something. While many Israelis find his actions and style odious, his opponents persistently fail to realize that in politics, a flawed something is still better than nothing.
Netanyahu is often wrongly portrayed as a political opportunist. But, as I have argued before, he is actually the only politician who has a serious vision for Israel. While reprehensible and ultimately disastrous for Israel, this vision undergirds Netanyahu’s confidence that he knows what is best for the country and can be trusted with its future. The way to beat him, therefore, is not to insinuate that too many years in power have corrupted his commitment to the national interest. The way to beat Netanyahu is to explain why his vision for Israel is wrong: to attack his somber outlook on Israel’s place in the world, and offer a different—indeed, radically different—path forward for the Jewish state.
To read the full anaylsis on WPR, click here
Originally published on WPR, May 3, 2019
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