The Israeli opposition leaders have intensified their criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of compromising national security for personal political gain. Yair Golan, leader of the Democratic Party, stated, that Netanyahu is a man who sells Israel’s security for his own political interests. He considers all those who serve the state as enemies and not his personal interests. Golan emphasized the dedication of Shin Bet Internal Security Director Ronen Bar and his predecessor Nadav Argaman, labeling Netanyahu’s attacks on them as a desperate attempt to intimidate the defenders of the state and neutralize anyone who dares to oppose him.
Additionally, Eran Etzion, former deputy head of Israel’s National Security Council, accused Netanyahu of “enslaving Israel’s national interest in the service of his own political, personal and criminal interests.”
Similarly, opposition figure Yair Lapid described Netanyahu’s remarks about the Shin Bet chief as a “loss of control,” calling them paranoid nonsense that poses a serious threat to the security service responsible for protecting Israeli citizens. In contrast, National Security Minister and leader of the far-right Jewish Power party, Itamar Ben-Gvir, supported Netanyahu’s stance, asserting that Ronen Bar “must resign.”
These internal disputes occur amid significant international scrutiny of Netanyahu’s policies, particularly concerning human rights violations. A recent United Nations report accused Israel of committing “disproportionate violence” against women and children during its conflict with Hamas in Gaza, alleging the use of sexual violence by Israeli security forces against Palestinian detainees. The report also highlighted the systematic destruction of Gaza’s reproductive health facilities, actions that could be construed as genocidal under international law. Netanyahu dismissed the report, labeling it as biased and antisemitic, while the Israeli Defense Forces refuted the accusations.
Further escalating the situation, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024, accusing them of war crimes, including the use of starvation as a method of warfare and targeting civilians during the Gaza conflict. This unprecedented move marked the first time the ICC has issued an arrest warrant against the leader of a Western-backed democratic country for war crimes. The warrants obligate 125 ICC member states, including France and the United Kingdom, to arrest Netanyahu and Gallant if they enter their territories.
Despite the ICC’s actions, Netanyahu is scheduled to visit Hungary before Easter, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s administration expressing support for Netanyahu and criticizing the ICC’s decision as politically motivated.
Domestically, Netanyahu’s administration has faced widespread protests over proposed judicial reforms perceived as undermining the judiciary’s independence. In February 2023, the United Nations urged Israel to “pause” these legislative changes, expressing concern that they could weaken human rights protections, especially for vulnerable communities, including Palestinian citizens of Israel, asylum seekers, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Public sentiment reflects growing dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s leadership. A recent survey by the Israel Democracy Institute revealed that 87% of Israelis hold Netanyahu responsible for serious security breaches, with 73% advocating for his resignation either immediately or post-Gaza war. These figures underscore longstanding Israeli disapproval, exacerbated by policies misaligned with majority public opinion, such as the exemption of ultra-Orthodox Jews from military drafts and the push for judicial system overhauls.
Netanyahu’s tenure is marked by escalating internal dissent and international condemnation. Accusations of prioritizing personal political interests over national security, alleged human rights violations, and contentious policy decisions have significantly eroded his standing both domestically and globally. The convergence of these factors presents a critical juncture for Israel’s democratic institutions and its adherence to international human rights standards.
