Overview of The Rachman Review: Can Netanyahu hold on to power?
This episode of the Rachman Review examines Israel’s closely fought election and what it means for Benjamin Netanyahu’s future as prime minister. Gideon Rachman speaks with political analyst Dalia Scheindlin about the fragmented result, the strength of the right wing in Israeli politics, the role of Arab parties, and whether Netanyahu can piece together another governing coalition.
Election Result: No Clear Winner
- The election did not produce a decisive winner.
- Netanyahu’s bloc performed better than some exit polls suggested, rising to roughly 54 seats in the 120-seat Knesset.
- But neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor the main opposition bloc is close to the 61 seats needed for a majority.
- The opposition can claim a popular majority only if Arab parties are included, but that does not automatically translate into a workable coalition.
Coalition arithmetic remains the key issue
- Netanyahu may not be best positioned to win a majority himself.
- His main strategic advantage may be blocking the opposition from forming one.
- The biggest obstacle for the anti-Netanyahu camp is its reluctance to rely on Arab parties to build a government.
Israel’s Politics: Still Moving Right
Scheindlin argues the election confirms a longer-term rightward shift in Israeli politics.
Main takeaway
- Even without Netanyahu personally, the Knesset is dominated by right-wing parties.
- Right-wing and hardline positions now shape much of the political agenda, especially on:
- Palestinians
- Gaza
- settlement policy
- judicial reform
- the balance between executive power and democratic checks
What “right-wing” now means in Israel
- Support for a two-state solution is marginal.
- The mainstream right increasingly favors:
- permanent control over Gaza
- annexation or de facto annexation of parts of the West Bank
- expanded settlement activity
- weakening the judiciary and Supreme Court
Gaza, Settlers, and Democratic Institutions
The conversation highlights how the post–October 7 security environment has hardened Israeli politics.
On Gaza
- Policies that were once fringe, such as permanent Israeli control over Gaza, have become more openly discussed.
- Some figures on the right have even floated rebuilding settlements in Gaza and forcing Palestinians out.
On settler violence
- Scheindlin says settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank are not just the work of “a handful of youths.”
- She argues they persist with state tolerance or support, including from the army and political leadership.
- She expects this to continue as long as the current governing setup remains in place.
On the judiciary
- A major dividing line in Israeli politics is trust in the courts and other democratic checks.
- The right has worked for years to undermine the judiciary’s authority, especially the Supreme Court and attorney general.
- For many centrists and leftists, this raises fears of an unchecked executive.
Arab Parties and the Netanyahu Narrative
A major theme in the discussion is the strong performance of Arab parties and the political taboo around coalitions with them.
Scheindlin’s view
- Netanyahu’s claim that Arab parties are sympathetic to Hamas is described as false and politically manipulative.
- Arab citizens and parties in Israel were themselves victims of October 7, not supporters of Hamas.
- Arab parties have generally opposed the October 7 attack and the war’s civilian toll.
Why this matters
- Arab parties won a historically strong result, but coalition politics still make them difficult partners for Jewish Zionist parties.
- The opposition may have the numbers on paper, but political and ideological resistance to coalition-building with Arab parties remains a major barrier.
Netanyahu’s Political Strategy
Scheindlin suggests Netanyahu is not necessarily confident he can form a majority—but he may be confident he can prevent others from doing so.
His possible paths
- Convince defectors from the opposition to join him.
- Bring in an Arab party, despite campaigning against that very idea.
- Exploit the opposition’s internal divisions and coalition taboos.
Bottom line
- Netanyahu remains the master of survival politics.
- He may not have an easy path to 61 seats, but he is still very much in the game.
International Isolation and the U.S. Factor
The episode also touches on Israel’s growing international criticism, though Scheindlin says it was not a central election issue.
Why it was muted
- Many Israelis view international legal bodies like the ICC and ICJ as inherently biased against Israel.
- Netanyahu’s supporters believe he has the best chance of maintaining strong ties with key U.S. leaders, especially Donald Trump and Republicans.
- The Democrats are increasingly seen by Netanyahu’s camp as unreliable or hostile.
Key point
- The debate over Israel’s international standing exists, but it is secondary to domestic political and security concerns in this election cycle.
The Future of Gadi Eisenkot
The discussion ends with a look at Gadi Eisenkot, the former chief of staff seen as a possible anti-Netanyahu figure.
Assessment
- Eisenkot had emotional credibility because of personal losses in the war.
- But emotional resonance alone may not be enough in Israeli politics.
- Scheindlin suggests he may lack the ruthless coalition instincts needed to survive at the top level.
- She compares his prospects to other former generals who entered politics but failed to endure, including more recent examples like Benny Gantz.
Final Takeaway
The episode’s central conclusion is that this election does not mark the end of the Netanyahu era. Israel remains deeply polarized, firmly right-leaning overall, and trapped in a coalition stalemate. Netanyahu may not have a clean route to a majority, but he is still one of the most adept political operators in Israeli history—and that may be enough to keep him in power.