Day: September 24, 2025

Bibi the Hero against the world: master of the political survival – Google Search  google.com/search?q=Bibi+the…
Analysis of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu’s political survival reveals a leader who has repeatedly overcome immense challenges by consolidating power, leveraging media narratives, and portraying himself as the country’s essential protector. This narrative has become particularly central since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and the subsequent wars.
A master of political maneuvering
Netanyahu has maintained his position as Israel’s longest-serving prime minister through a consistent and highly effective political strategy.

Polarizing the electorate: His tactics often involve polarizing the public discourse by framing conflicts as a struggle against a liberal, anti-Israel “Deep State.” By emphasizing divisions, he reinforces his narrative that he is the only leader capable of defending the nation against both external enemies and internal critics.
Controlling the narrative: Netanyahu has a long history of controlling the media narrative, using his influence to ensure favorable coverage. Since October 7, 2023, his supporters have rallied around his wartime leadership, temporarily muting some internal dissent.
Keeping rivals off-balance: He has mastered the art of “divide and survive” by neutralizing potential threats from within his own right-wing bloc and from the political opposition. In 2025, his government continues to be sustained by hardline coalition partners, whose threats to resign give him cover to pursue aggressive military policies.

Navigating constant crises
Netanyahu’s resilience has been tested by a series of ongoing political crises, especially since his return to power in late 2022.

Pre-war protests: In early 2023, his government faced massive, sustained protests over a controversial judicial overhaul plan that critics claimed was an attempt to subvert democratic institutions to protect him from his corruption trial.
Corruption trial: Netanyahu’s long-running trial on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust remains a major liability. He has characterized the legal proceedings as a politically motivated witch hunt. His ability to delay the proceedings and consolidate power despite the charges highlights his political shrewdness.
The aftermath of October 7: The attack was widely seen as a catastrophic security failure on his watch, leading to intense public criticism and protest movements demanding his resignation. However, the subsequent wars have enabled him to deflect blame and re-center his political narrative around national security.

2025: A high-stakes balancing act
In 2025, Netanyahu continues to demonstrate his survival skills amid complex military and diplomatic challenges.

Prolonging the wars: Many analysts argue that Netanyahu has prolonged the wars in Gaza and Lebanon—and escalated tensions with Iran—for his own political survival. Critics claim these actions distract from his pre-war failures and appease his hardline coalition partners.
International isolation: Israel faces growing international criticism and isolation due to its military actions, a trend that accelerated after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a request for arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders in May 2024.
Growing domestic dissent: Despite the wartime unity, domestic dissent has been steadily growing. Protests supporting a hostage deal continue, and criticism from former security officials and military reservists is increasingly prominent. Some critics accuse Netanyahu of prioritizing his political needs over the return of hostages.

The “hero against the world” narrative
The phrase “Bibi the Hero against the world” reflects a core tenet of Netanyahu’s appeal to his base.

External threat emphasis: By focusing on external threats, such as Iran’s nuclear program and Hamas, he positions himself as the only leader with the resolve and experience to protect Israel.
Deflecting criticism: He frames international condemnation as a sign that the world is against Israel and that he is simply a strong, patriotic leader defending his country from its critics. This helps him dismiss negative press and international pressure as anti-Israel bias.
Cementing loyalty: This narrative creates a sense of siege among his supporters, strengthening their loyalty and making them resistant to criticism from both domestic and foreign opponents.

AI responses may include mistakes.

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Sep 24, 2025