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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Iran-Israel war: A lifeline for Netanyahu?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu As Israeli warplanes continue to hammer Iranian targets, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emerged politically reinvigorated, both domestically and on the world stage. Just days before Israel's offensive began, Netanyahu's coalition government was teetering on collapse over internal tensions, particularly over plans to conscript ultra-Orthodox Jews. Facing mounting criticism for his handling of the prolonged Gaza war and a hostage crisis dating back to Hamas's October 2023 attack, Netanyahu's leadership seemed on the brink. Now, with the war against Iran reshaping Israel's political mood, Netanyahu's approval ratings are rebounding. A new poll published by a conservative Israeli broadcaster shows 54% of respondents support the prime minister, up significantly from earlier weeks. 'Netanyahu is greatly strengthened,' said Yonatan Freeman, a geopolitics expert at Hebrew University. 'There's broad public support for his argument that striking Iran preemptively was necessary.' Even opposition leader Yair Lapid backed the decision, calling the strike 'the right one' in a Jerusalem Post op-ed. For Netanyahu, who has long warned of Iran's nuclear ambitions, this war appears to be a defining moment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like When Knee Pain Hits, Start Eating These Foods, and Feel Your Pain Go Away (It's Genius) Read More Undo 'Israel is fighting for its survival and has a chance to reshape the Middle East,' he said before the strikes began. The Israeli leader's international standing, badly damaged by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and an ICC arrest warrant for alleged war crimes, has seen a shift. Since the Iran offensive began, European leaders have rallied behind him. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz even said Israel was doing 'the dirty work… for all of us.' Yet analysts warn the support may be fleeting. 'If the war drags on, public sentiment could turn again,' said Denis Charbit of Israel's Open University. 'Netanyahu is asserting his Churchillian image, but the final act is still unwritten.'
France 24
2 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
Iran-Israel war: a lifeline for Netanyahu?
On the eve of launching strikes on Iran, his government looked to be on the verge of collapse, with a drive to conscript ultra-Orthodox Jews threatening to scupper his fragile coalition. Nearly two years on from Hamas's unprecedented attack in 2023, Netanyahu was under growing domestic criticism for his handling of the war in Gaza, where dozens of hostages remain unaccounted for. Internationally too, he was coming under pressure including from longstanding allies, who since the war with Iran began have gone back to expressing support. Just days ago, polls were predicting Netanyahu would lose his majority if new elections were held, but now, his fortunes appear to have reversed, and Israelis are seeing in "Bibi" the man of the moment. – 'Reshape the Middle East' – For decades, Netanyahu has warned of the risk of a nuclear attack on Israel by Iran -- a fear shared by most Israelis. Yonatan Freeman, a geopolitics expert at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said Netanyahu's argument that the pre-emptive strike on Iran was necessary draws "a lot of public support" and that the prime minister has been "greatly strengthened". Even the opposition has rallied behind him. "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is my political rival, but his decision to strike Iran at this moment in time is the right one," opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote in a Jerusalem Post op-ed. A poll published Saturday by a conservative Israeli channel showed that 54 percent of respondents expressed confidence in the prime minister. The public had had time to prepare for the possibility of an offensive against Iran, with Netanyahu repeatedly warning that Israel was fighting for its survival and had an opportunity to "reshape the Middle East." During tit-for-tat military exchanges last year, Israel launched air raids on targets in Iran in October that are thought to have severely damaged Iranian air defences. Israel's then-defence minister Yoav Gallant said the strikes had shifted "the balance of power" and had "weakened" Iran. "In fact, for the past 20 months, Israelis have been thinking about this (a war with Iran)," said Denis Charbit, a political scientist at Israel's Open University. Since Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, Netanyahu has ordered military action in Gaza, against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon and the Huthis in Yemen, as well as targets in Syria where long-time leader Bashar al-Assad fell in December last year. "Netanyahu always wants to dominate the agenda, to be the one who reshuffles the deck himself -- not the one who reacts -- and here he is clearly asserting his Churchillian side, which is, incidentally, his model," Charbit said. "But depending on the outcome and the duration (of the war), everything could change, and Israelis might turn against Bibi and demand answers." – Silencing critics – For now, however, people in Israel see the conflict with Iran as a "necessary war," according to Nitzan Perelman, a researcher specialised in Israel at the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) in France. "Public opinion supports this war, just as it has supported previous ones," she added. "It's very useful for Netanyahu because it silences criticism, both inside the country and abroad." In the weeks ahead of the Iran strikes, international criticism of Netanyahu and Israel's military had reached unprecedented levels. After more than 55,000 deaths in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, and a blockade that has produced famine-like conditions there, Israel has faced growing isolation and the risk of sanctions, while Netanyahu himself is the subject of an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes. But on Sunday, two days into the war with Iran, the Israeli leader received a phone call from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has held talks with numerous counterparts. "There's more consensus in Europe in how they see Iran, which is more equal to how Israel sees Iran," explained Freeman from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Tuesday that Israel was doing "the dirty work... for all of us." The idea that a weakened Iran could lead to regional peace and the emergence of a new Middle East is appealing to the United States and some European countries, according to Freeman. © 2025 AFP
Int'l Business Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Iran-Israel War: A Lifeline For Netanyahu?
The Iran-Israel war has helped strengthen Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu domestically and overseas, just as his grip on power looked vulnerable. On the eve of launching strikes on Iran, his government looked to be on the verge of collapse, with a drive to conscript ultra-Orthodox Jews threatening to scupper his fragile coalition. Nearly two years on from Hamas's unprecedented attack in 2023, Netanyahu was under growing domestic criticism for his handling of the war in Gaza, where dozens of hostages remain unaccounted for. Internationally too, he was coming under pressure including from longstanding allies, who since the war with Iran began have gone back to expressing support. Just days ago, polls were predicting Netanyahu would lose his majority if new elections were held, but now, his fortunes appear to have reversed, and Israelis are seeing in "Bibi" the man of the moment. For decades, Netanyahu has warned of the risk of a nuclear attack on Israel by Iran -- a fear shared by most Israelis. Yonatan Freeman, a geopolitics expert at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said Netanyahu's argument that the pre-emptive strike on Iran was necessary draws "a lot of public support" and that the prime minister has been "greatly strengthened". Even the opposition has rallied behind him. "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is my political rival, but his decision to strike Iran at this moment in time is the right one," opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote in a Jerusalem Post op-ed. A poll published Saturday by a conservative Israeli channel showed that 54 percent of respondents expressed confidence in the prime minister. The public had had time to prepare for the possibility of an offensive against Iran, with Netanyahu repeatedly warning that Israel was fighting for its survival and had an opportunity to "reshape the Middle East." During tit-for-tat military exchanges last year, Israel launched air raids on targets in Iran in October that are thought to have severely damaged Iranian air defences. Israel's then-defence minister Yoav Gallant said the strikes had shifted "the balance of power" and had "weakened" Iran. "In fact, for the past 20 months, Israelis have been thinking about this (a war with Iran)," said Denis Charbit, a political scientist at Israel's Open University. Since Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, Netanyahu has ordered military action in Gaza, against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon and the Huthis in Yemen, as well as targets in Syria where long-time leader Bashar al-Assad fell in December last year. "Netanyahu always wants to dominate the agenda, to be the one who reshuffles the deck himself -- not the one who reacts -- and here he is clearly asserting his Churchillian side, which is, incidentally, his model," Charbit said. "But depending on the outcome and the duration (of the war), everything could change, and Israelis might turn against Bibi and demand answers." For now, however, people in Israel see the conflict with Iran as a "necessary war," according to Nitzan Perelman, a researcher specialised in Israel at the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) in France. "Public opinion supports this war, just as it has supported previous ones," she added. "It's very useful for Netanyahu because it silences criticism, both inside the country and abroad." In the weeks ahead of the Iran strikes, international criticism of Netanyahu and Israel's military had reached unprecedented levels. After more than 55,000 deaths in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, and a blockade that has produced famine-like conditions there, Israel has faced growing isolation and the risk of sanctions, while Netanyahu himself is the subject of an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes. But on Sunday, two days into the war with Iran, the Israeli leader received a phone call from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has held talks with numerous counterparts. "There's more consensus in Europe in how they see Iran, which is more equal to how Israel sees Iran," explained Freeman from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Tuesday that Israel was doing "the dirty work... for all of us." The idea that a weakened Iran could lead to regional peace and the emergence of a new Middle East is appealing to the United States and some European countries, according to Freeman. But for Perelman, "Netanyahu is exploiting the Iranian threat, as he always has."
New York Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Netanyahu bets legacy on Iran strikes
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proven, yet again, that he's the ultimate master of both political indifference and unpredictability. Nearly a year after he cannily took advantage of America's Biden-Harris political vacuum to dismantle Hezbollah in Lebanon, Netanyahu is finally taking out Iran's nuclear armament sites following months — even years — of will-he-or-won't-he brinksmanship. And it comes as the Knesset, Israel's parliament, teetered on the brink of dissolution all week over the specter of compulsory military service for ultra-Orthodox men. NY Post editor and columnist David Christopher Kaufman shares this story.
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Israel says Tehran to 'pay price' after attacks
Iranian missiles struck Israel's Tel Aviv and the port city of Haifa before dawn, killing at least eight people and destroying homes, prompting Israel's defence minister to warn that Tehran residents would "pay the price and soon". The dangers of further escalation loomed over a meeting of the Group of Seven leaders in Canada, with US President Donald Trump expressing hope on Sunday that a deal could be done but no sign of the fighting abating on a fourth day of war. The fatalities in Israel on Monday, reported by Israel's national emergency services, raised its death toll to 23 civilians since Friday. Israeli attacks in Iran have killed at least 224 people since Friday, Iran's health ministry has said. At least 100 more were wounded in Israel in the overnight blitz, part of a wave of attacks by Tehran in retaliation for Israel's strikes targeting the nuclear and ballistic missile programs of sworn enemy Iran. Search and rescue operations were underway in Haifa where around 30 people were wounded, emergency authorities said, as dozens of first responders rushed to the strike zones. Fires were seen burning at a power plant near the port, media reported. Video footage showed several missiles over Tel Aviv and explosions could be heard there and over Jerusalem. Several residential buildings in a densely populated neighbourhood of Tel Aviv were destroyed in a strike that blew out the windows of hotels and other nearby homes just a few hundred metres from the US Embassy branch in the city which sustained minor damage. The pre-dawn missiles also struck near Shuk HaCarmel, a popular market in Tel Aviv that typically draws large crowds of residents and tourists buying fresh fruit and vegetables, and to popular bars and restaurants. A residential street in nearby Petah Tikva and a school in ultra-Orthodox Jewish city Bnei Brak were also hit. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the latest attack employed a new method that caused Israel's multi-layered defence systems to target each other and allowed Tehran to successfully hit many targets, without providing further details. The Israeli Defence Force did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the strikes. There were no reports in Israel of interceptor missiles hitting each other. Israeli officials have repeatedly said its defence systems are not 100 per cent and have warned of tough days ahead. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement: "The arrogant dictator of Tehran has become a cowardly murderer who targets the civilian home front in Israel to deter the IDF from continuing the attack that is collapsing his capabilities." "The residents of Tehran will pay the price, and soon." The death toll in Iran was already at least 224, with 90 per cent of the casualties reported to be civilians, an Iranian health ministry spokesperson said. Israel's military said on Monday morning it had struck again at command centres belonging to the Revolutionary Guard and Iran's military. G7 leaders began gathering in the Canadian Rockies on Sunday with the Israel-Iran conflict expected to be a top priority. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said his goals for the summit include for Iran to not develop or possess nuclear weapons, ensuring Israel's right to defend itself, avoiding escalation of the conflict and creating room for diplomacy. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian told parliament on Monday Tehran has no intention of building nuclear weapons but it would continue to pursue its right to nuclear energy and research. Before leaving for the summit on Sunday, Trump said he hoped there would be a deal, but said: "sometimes they have to fight it out." Brent crude futures were up 0.5 per cent in Asian trade on Monday, having surged late last week. While the spike in oil prices has investors on edge, stock and currency markets were little moved in Asia. Israel began the assault with a surprise attack on Friday that wiped out the top echelon of Iran's military command and damaged its nuclear sites, and says the campaign will escalate in the coming days. Iran has vowed to "open the gates of hell" in retaliation. Iranian missiles struck Israel's Tel Aviv and the port city of Haifa before dawn, killing at least eight people and destroying homes, prompting Israel's defence minister to warn that Tehran residents would "pay the price and soon". The dangers of further escalation loomed over a meeting of the Group of Seven leaders in Canada, with US President Donald Trump expressing hope on Sunday that a deal could be done but no sign of the fighting abating on a fourth day of war. The fatalities in Israel on Monday, reported by Israel's national emergency services, raised its death toll to 23 civilians since Friday. Israeli attacks in Iran have killed at least 224 people since Friday, Iran's health ministry has said. At least 100 more were wounded in Israel in the overnight blitz, part of a wave of attacks by Tehran in retaliation for Israel's strikes targeting the nuclear and ballistic missile programs of sworn enemy Iran. Search and rescue operations were underway in Haifa where around 30 people were wounded, emergency authorities said, as dozens of first responders rushed to the strike zones. Fires were seen burning at a power plant near the port, media reported. Video footage showed several missiles over Tel Aviv and explosions could be heard there and over Jerusalem. Several residential buildings in a densely populated neighbourhood of Tel Aviv were destroyed in a strike that blew out the windows of hotels and other nearby homes just a few hundred metres from the US Embassy branch in the city which sustained minor damage. The pre-dawn missiles also struck near Shuk HaCarmel, a popular market in Tel Aviv that typically draws large crowds of residents and tourists buying fresh fruit and vegetables, and to popular bars and restaurants. A residential street in nearby Petah Tikva and a school in ultra-Orthodox Jewish city Bnei Brak were also hit. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the latest attack employed a new method that caused Israel's multi-layered defence systems to target each other and allowed Tehran to successfully hit many targets, without providing further details. The Israeli Defence Force did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the strikes. There were no reports in Israel of interceptor missiles hitting each other. Israeli officials have repeatedly said its defence systems are not 100 per cent and have warned of tough days ahead. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement: "The arrogant dictator of Tehran has become a cowardly murderer who targets the civilian home front in Israel to deter the IDF from continuing the attack that is collapsing his capabilities." "The residents of Tehran will pay the price, and soon." The death toll in Iran was already at least 224, with 90 per cent of the casualties reported to be civilians, an Iranian health ministry spokesperson said. Israel's military said on Monday morning it had struck again at command centres belonging to the Revolutionary Guard and Iran's military. G7 leaders began gathering in the Canadian Rockies on Sunday with the Israel-Iran conflict expected to be a top priority. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said his goals for the summit include for Iran to not develop or possess nuclear weapons, ensuring Israel's right to defend itself, avoiding escalation of the conflict and creating room for diplomacy. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian told parliament on Monday Tehran has no intention of building nuclear weapons but it would continue to pursue its right to nuclear energy and research. Before leaving for the summit on Sunday, Trump said he hoped there would be a deal, but said: "sometimes they have to fight it out." Brent crude futures were up 0.5 per cent in Asian trade on Monday, having surged late last week. While the spike in oil prices has investors on edge, stock and currency markets were little moved in Asia. Israel began the assault with a surprise attack on Friday that wiped out the top echelon of Iran's military command and damaged its nuclear sites, and says the campaign will escalate in the coming days. Iran has vowed to "open the gates of hell" in retaliation. Iranian missiles struck Israel's Tel Aviv and the port city of Haifa before dawn, killing at least eight people and destroying homes, prompting Israel's defence minister to warn that Tehran residents would "pay the price and soon". The dangers of further escalation loomed over a meeting of the Group of Seven leaders in Canada, with US President Donald Trump expressing hope on Sunday that a deal could be done but no sign of the fighting abating on a fourth day of war. The fatalities in Israel on Monday, reported by Israel's national emergency services, raised its death toll to 23 civilians since Friday. Israeli attacks in Iran have killed at least 224 people since Friday, Iran's health ministry has said. At least 100 more were wounded in Israel in the overnight blitz, part of a wave of attacks by Tehran in retaliation for Israel's strikes targeting the nuclear and ballistic missile programs of sworn enemy Iran. Search and rescue operations were underway in Haifa where around 30 people were wounded, emergency authorities said, as dozens of first responders rushed to the strike zones. Fires were seen burning at a power plant near the port, media reported. Video footage showed several missiles over Tel Aviv and explosions could be heard there and over Jerusalem. Several residential buildings in a densely populated neighbourhood of Tel Aviv were destroyed in a strike that blew out the windows of hotels and other nearby homes just a few hundred metres from the US Embassy branch in the city which sustained minor damage. The pre-dawn missiles also struck near Shuk HaCarmel, a popular market in Tel Aviv that typically draws large crowds of residents and tourists buying fresh fruit and vegetables, and to popular bars and restaurants. A residential street in nearby Petah Tikva and a school in ultra-Orthodox Jewish city Bnei Brak were also hit. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the latest attack employed a new method that caused Israel's multi-layered defence systems to target each other and allowed Tehran to successfully hit many targets, without providing further details. The Israeli Defence Force did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the strikes. There were no reports in Israel of interceptor missiles hitting each other. Israeli officials have repeatedly said its defence systems are not 100 per cent and have warned of tough days ahead. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement: "The arrogant dictator of Tehran has become a cowardly murderer who targets the civilian home front in Israel to deter the IDF from continuing the attack that is collapsing his capabilities." "The residents of Tehran will pay the price, and soon." The death toll in Iran was already at least 224, with 90 per cent of the casualties reported to be civilians, an Iranian health ministry spokesperson said. Israel's military said on Monday morning it had struck again at command centres belonging to the Revolutionary Guard and Iran's military. G7 leaders began gathering in the Canadian Rockies on Sunday with the Israel-Iran conflict expected to be a top priority. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said his goals for the summit include for Iran to not develop or possess nuclear weapons, ensuring Israel's right to defend itself, avoiding escalation of the conflict and creating room for diplomacy. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian told parliament on Monday Tehran has no intention of building nuclear weapons but it would continue to pursue its right to nuclear energy and research. Before leaving for the summit on Sunday, Trump said he hoped there would be a deal, but said: "sometimes they have to fight it out." Brent crude futures were up 0.5 per cent in Asian trade on Monday, having surged late last week. While the spike in oil prices has investors on edge, stock and currency markets were little moved in Asia. Israel began the assault with a surprise attack on Friday that wiped out the top echelon of Iran's military command and damaged its nuclear sites, and says the campaign will escalate in the coming days. Iran has vowed to "open the gates of hell" in retaliation. Iranian missiles struck Israel's Tel Aviv and the port city of Haifa before dawn, killing at least eight people and destroying homes, prompting Israel's defence minister to warn that Tehran residents would "pay the price and soon". The dangers of further escalation loomed over a meeting of the Group of Seven leaders in Canada, with US President Donald Trump expressing hope on Sunday that a deal could be done but no sign of the fighting abating on a fourth day of war. The fatalities in Israel on Monday, reported by Israel's national emergency services, raised its death toll to 23 civilians since Friday. Israeli attacks in Iran have killed at least 224 people since Friday, Iran's health ministry has said. At least 100 more were wounded in Israel in the overnight blitz, part of a wave of attacks by Tehran in retaliation for Israel's strikes targeting the nuclear and ballistic missile programs of sworn enemy Iran. Search and rescue operations were underway in Haifa where around 30 people were wounded, emergency authorities said, as dozens of first responders rushed to the strike zones. Fires were seen burning at a power plant near the port, media reported. Video footage showed several missiles over Tel Aviv and explosions could be heard there and over Jerusalem. Several residential buildings in a densely populated neighbourhood of Tel Aviv were destroyed in a strike that blew out the windows of hotels and other nearby homes just a few hundred metres from the US Embassy branch in the city which sustained minor damage. The pre-dawn missiles also struck near Shuk HaCarmel, a popular market in Tel Aviv that typically draws large crowds of residents and tourists buying fresh fruit and vegetables, and to popular bars and restaurants. A residential street in nearby Petah Tikva and a school in ultra-Orthodox Jewish city Bnei Brak were also hit. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the latest attack employed a new method that caused Israel's multi-layered defence systems to target each other and allowed Tehran to successfully hit many targets, without providing further details. The Israeli Defence Force did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the strikes. There were no reports in Israel of interceptor missiles hitting each other. Israeli officials have repeatedly said its defence systems are not 100 per cent and have warned of tough days ahead. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement: "The arrogant dictator of Tehran has become a cowardly murderer who targets the civilian home front in Israel to deter the IDF from continuing the attack that is collapsing his capabilities." "The residents of Tehran will pay the price, and soon." The death toll in Iran was already at least 224, with 90 per cent of the casualties reported to be civilians, an Iranian health ministry spokesperson said. Israel's military said on Monday morning it had struck again at command centres belonging to the Revolutionary Guard and Iran's military. G7 leaders began gathering in the Canadian Rockies on Sunday with the Israel-Iran conflict expected to be a top priority. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said his goals for the summit include for Iran to not develop or possess nuclear weapons, ensuring Israel's right to defend itself, avoiding escalation of the conflict and creating room for diplomacy. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian told parliament on Monday Tehran has no intention of building nuclear weapons but it would continue to pursue its right to nuclear energy and research. Before leaving for the summit on Sunday, Trump said he hoped there would be a deal, but said: "sometimes they have to fight it out." Brent crude futures were up 0.5 per cent in Asian trade on Monday, having surged late last week. While the spike in oil prices has investors on edge, stock and currency markets were little moved in Asia. Israel began the assault with a surprise attack on Friday that wiped out the top echelon of Iran's military command and damaged its nuclear sites, and says the campaign will escalate in the coming days. Iran has vowed to "open the gates of hell" in retaliation.
