
Benjamin Netanyahu has dominated Israeli politics for decades. But the October 7 attacks, the wars that followed, public protests, an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over alleged war crimes, and his domestic corruption trial have intensified scrutiny of his leadership. Yet Netanyahu retains a loyal base and continues to put national security at the centre of his political message, particularly over Iran and its regional allies. With Israel’s coalition politics and a divided opposition shaping the contest, what challenges lie ahead for the country’s longest-serving prime minister?