Erosion of Likud support in Netanyahu’s northern stronghold ahead of election
Loyalty to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party is slipping in Kiryat Shmona as residents voice frustration over the handling of the Hezbollah conflict before the vote.
For decades Kiryat Shmona has supplied reliable votes for Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, but repeated rocket fire, a year-long evacuation and an ongoing Hezbollah threat are eroding that loyalty. Residents such as Eti Ben Shabat and retired councilor Sami Malul criticize Netanyahu for unkept security pledges and a perceived lack of personal outreach. Some voters are now considering former military chief Gadi Eisenkot or the new Beyachad opposition, while others fear a drift toward hard-line parties like Otzma Yehudit.
Recent polling shows Netanyahu’s support in the north falling from roughly 29% to 17%. The city’s changing sentiment could tip Israel’s close election and affect the makeup of the next governing coalition.
How this was covered
- The two sides describe this in almost entirely different words
Why it matters
Shifts in a traditional Likud base may alter Israel’s election outcome and future security strategy.
How this story developed
- Sep 3 Netanyahu urges fragmented right-wing parties to merge ahead of October election
- Oct 7 Families of victims rallied across Israel demanding an inquiry into the October 7 response.
- Oct 7 A civilian‑led memorial ceremony was held at Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv.
- Oct 15 Journalist Yinon Magal pressed Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot about the need for a Palestinian Authority during a live interview on Radio 103FM.
- Oct 18 Donald Trump publicly backed Benjamin Netanyahu’s reelection bid, saying the Israeli leader is essential to counter Iran and that a different premier would force the United States to take on more of the conflict.
- Oct 18 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Donald Trump on Sunday for his support ahead of the parliamentary elections on 27 October.
- Oct 18 Trump posted his endorsement of Netanyahu on Truth Social.
- Oct 19 Netanyahu warned Israel could face a hostile U.S. president after Trump’s term.
- Oct 19 Trump warned that a different Israeli leader could compel the United States to intervene against Iran.
- Oct 20 Vice President JD Vance announced he will not support Netanyahu in the Israeli election.
- Oct 21 Channel 12 poll shows 64% of voters say Trump’s endorsement will not affect their vote, 17% say it reduces support for Netanyahu, and 12% say it reinforces support.
- Oct 22 Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar filed a libel lawsuit claiming he warned Netanyahu before the Oct 7 assault.
- Oct 22 Eisenkot has floated a minority‑government plan and the campaign now features a dispute over Palestinian statehood.
- Oct 24 A recent poll shows Eisenkot ahead of Netanyahu.
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