In the immediate aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared politically and personally battered. Long known for projecting strength and security, Netanyahu looked like a diminished figure, blindsided by the deadliest assault in Israel’s history and engulfed in public outrage. His approval ratings plummeted, and many began questioning the viability of his leadership. Fast forward to the present day, and a different image of Netanyahu is emerging. As Israel faces off against Iran in an escalating conflict, the 75-year-old prime minister seems reinvigorated. With US backing—culminating in a significant American strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities—Netanyahu has seized the moment to reaffirm his decades-long campaign against Iran’s nuclear ambitions.“Netanyahu has proven that he is a phoenix,” AP quoted veteran Israeli journalist and Netanyahu biographer Mazal Mualem saying. His renewed vigor on the international stage, particularly after a phone call with US President Donald Trump, suggests a strategic comeback that could reshape his political future and legacy. This war with Iran, while still fraught with danger and uncertainty, may be the opportunity Netanyahu has long awaited. For years, he positioned Iran as Israel’s most dangerous adversary, using every platform—from the UN podium to the US Congress—to warn of Tehran’s nuclear threat. Critics once mocked his single-minded focus, accusing him of neglecting other security threats like Hamas. But now, as Iran fires missiles into Israeli territory and as US jets strike Iranian targets, many Israelis see Netanyahu as vindicated—and some even as redeemed.“Netanyahu is seen as a very divisive and destructive leader. He is seen as someone who talks a lot and doesn’t do anything,” AP quoted former Netanyahu aide Aviv Bushinsky saying. “Today, Netanyahu redeemed himself, big time,” he added. Yet, the road ahead remains uncertain. Netanyahu’s polarizing domestic reputation, ongoing corruption trial, and an international arrest warrant over Gaza war conduct continue to cloud his leadership. While the Iran war may offer a political lifeline, elections loom next year, and his long-term survival depends on more than just military victories. As Bushinsky put it as quoted by AP: “Bibi may be King of Israel—but even a king has his limits.”
