Netanyahu halts Friday Likud rallies after West Bank shooting leaves Israelis wounded
A shooting attack in the West Bank injured five Israelis, two critically, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cancel all Likud events scheduled for Friday.
Earlier Friday, a shooting in the West Bank resulted in five Israelis being injured, two of them seriously, while the Israeli Defense Forces killed two suspected Palestinian attackers. Gadi Eisenkot, the main opposition candidate, commended the soldiers for their actions and wished a swift recovery for the wounded. In reaction, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the cancellation of every Likud-affiliated event planned for Friday morning.
The attack comes as Likud faces eroding backing from its traditional religious Zionist base, with recent polling indicating that more than half of those voters who supported the party in 2022 now intend to vote elsewhere. Many are moving toward parties like Itamar Ben-Gvir's far-right Otzma Yehudit and Yoaz Hendel's The Reservists, according to data from The Madad. The shift underscores growing volatility in the upcoming October 27 election.
Why it matters
The attack and subsequent rally cancellations highlight security concerns and shifting voter loyalties ahead of Israel's election.
How this story developed
- Sep 3 Netanyahu urges fragmented right-wing parties to merge ahead of October election
- Oct 7 Israel placed its security forces at maximum readiness on the anniversary, citing possible new Hamas attacks.
- 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.
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