Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, is fighting to preserve his political legacy in a high-stakes election that follows years of turmoil. Once viewed as the ultimate security guarantor, his reputation was deeply shaken by the October 7 Hamas attacks, leaving him in a neck-and-neck race against former army chief Gadi Eisenkot. To maintain his grip on power, Netanyahu is leaning heavily on his nationalist base, warning voters against the creation of a Palestinian state and leveraging high-profile endorsements, including support from Donald Trump. Beyond the campaign trail, he faces a daunting landscape that includes a long-standing corruption trial, an international arrest warrant, and a multi-front regional conflict that has redefined his leadership.

Throughout his career, which began when he became Israel's youngest prime minister in 1996, Netanyahu has been a polarizing figure defined by his rigid opposition to the two-state solution and his "Greater Israel" ideology. While supporters praise his recent military resolve against Iran and its regional proxies as a necessary stance for national survival, critics argue his policies have alienated Israel from the international community and deepened internal divisions. As he attempts to steer through this election, the veteran politician is framing the vote as a defining moment for the Jewish state's future. Despite persistent predictions of his political downfall, Netanyahu remains a master of coalition-building, hoping once again to defy the odds and secure his place at the helm of the country.