In the aftermath of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared shaken and politically weakened, his authority undermined by the sudden crisis and a sharp drop in public support.
Now, as Israel finds itself in a new and intense conflict with Iran, Netanyahu seems reinvigorated. With backing from the United States in a confrontation he’s spent decades warning about, he is showing renewed confidence that could mark a pivotal moment in his long political career.
At 75, and despite facing ongoing missile attacks, a corruption trial, and a deeply polarized legacy, Netanyahu sees an opportunity to revive his political standing and redefine his place in Israeli history. Success in this conflict could restore his image as a master political survivor.
“Netanyahu has proven that he is a phoenix,” said longtime Israeli journalist and his biographer, Mazal Mualem.
