Hamas shakes Israeli Prime Minister's 'Mr. Security' image

Prime Minister Netanyahu is seen as Israel's "Mr. Security," but the bloody Hamas raid last weekend could shatter that image.

During more than three decades in Israeli politics, Benjamin Netanyahu has experienced many ups and downs and been called by many nicknames, just like the number of his election victories.

He has been called “The Magician” for his ability to win even when he is sure to lose, or “King Bibi” for having been at the top of Israeli politics longer than anyone else. Another nickname Netanyahu loves is “Mr. Security,” because he has built his political career on a commitment to Israel’s national security.

However, the surprise raid by the Hamas Islamist militant group in the Gaza Strip into Israel on October 7 could shatter the image that Prime Minister Netanyahu has worked hard to build over the past three decades.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on September 27. Photo: Reuters

It is unclear how more than 1,000 Hamas militants carried out the massive, surprise attack that left the most Jewish dead in a single day since the Holocaust in World War II.

While Israel is no stranger to Hamas attacks, the October 7 raid was unprecedented. The Israeli military was caught completely off guard and unable to protect its borders and its people, despite decades of being a proud technological powerhouse, with an impressive armed force and the world’s leading intelligence agency.

Netanyahu's opponents have not called for the Israeli prime minister to resign, as the country is focused on the campaign against Hamas. "Now is not the time to discuss who is at fault or why we were caught off guard," said former prime minister and opposition leader Yair Lapid.

However, observers say that the time will come when Israelis will have to talk about it. Amit Segal, a political commentator on Israel's Channel 12, even said that it would be a surprise if Mr. Netanyahu could save his term as Prime Minister through this conflict.

"Israeli history has taught us that every surprise and crisis leads to the collapse of a government. That was the story of Prime Minister Golda Meir in 1973 after the Yom Kippur War, Prime Minister Menachem Begin during the 1982 Lebanon War and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during the Second Lebanon War in 2006. The clock is ticking," Segal said.

The last time Israeli intelligence failed on this scale and recorded so many casualties was nearly 50 years ago, when Egypt and Syria attacked Israel in the Yom Kippur War.

However, Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute, said it was a war that was somewhat "conventional". "We negotiated peace with Egyptian president Anwar Sadat a few years later, with the support of the Israeli parliament. But this is a completely different battle and we will not negotiate peace with Hamas," Plesner said.

But Israel still has to hold some kind of talks with Hama, possibly through Egyptian mediation, to resolve the hostage crisis. More than 100 people, including civilians and soldiers, are being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

After 10 months of protests against his controversial judicial reform efforts, Netanyahu now faces a new political risk, even as he forms a wartime cabinet in an effort to "wipe out" Hamas.

A poll released by the Israel Dialogue Center on October 12 showed that 86% of respondents believe the Hamas attack was a failure of the national leadership, including 79% of those who support Netanyahu's coalition government.

94% said the government was responsible for its lack of preparedness to deal with Hamas and 56% said Prime Minister Netanyahu should resign after the conflict ends.

Observers say the only consolation Hamas can offer him is Israel's solidarity at this difficult time. "Mr Netanyahu's political career is the last thing Israelis care about now," said Pleser, who also served in the Israeli reserve forces.

Rocket launched from Gaza Strip into Israeli territory on the night of August 8, 2023. Photo: AP

Many experts note that Prime Minister Netanyahu has faced many challenges before, but he has always come back extremely strong to defeat his opponents. However, they say the current situation is quite different, as he has been dragged into an unwanted war.

The Hamas raid was reportedly planned for 12-18 months, with exercises and training held at a training ground close to the Israeli border, but Israeli intelligence failed to detect it. Israel's view that Hamas was pursuing economic development and reducing confrontation with Tel Aviv has proven to be wrong, according to Segal.

Whether Mr. Netanyahu and the Israeli army can "destroy" Hamas will be answered in the coming time.

"I believe Mr. Netanyahu has decided to launch a full-scale attack on the Gaza Strip, and under these circumstances, any Israeli leader would do the same," said William A. Galston, an analyst at WSJ .

Retired Major General Noam Tibon, an Israeli counter-terrorism expert, said on October 9 that Israel must launch a military campaign against the Gaza Strip because Hamas will pay the price and Israel will have no choice but to win a "decisive victory."

Location of Lebanon, Israel and the Gaza Strip. Graphic: CNN

But this could be Netanyahu's last campaign. "There will be politicians who will pay for those mistakes. The whole country will be looking back at this and Mr Security will be in a very difficult position," said HA Hellyer, an international security expert at the Royal United Services Institute.

Throughout his career, Mr. Netanyahu has presented himself as the leader best able to ensure Israel’s security. But recent events have undermined that image.

“His political career would likely end soon after the war, setting the stage for profound changes in Israeli politics,” Hellyer said.

Thanh Tam (According to CNN, WSJ )

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