Jerusalem, Israel — As Israelis prepared to celebrate Passover, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a wartime address filled with biblical references, drawing parallels between Israel’s military strikes and the Ten Plagues that, according to scripture, freed the Israelites from Egypt.
Netanyahu proclaimed that Israel had “changed the Middle East,” presenting a message of triumph and national strength. But just hours later, Iran launched one of its heaviest missile barrages yet, shattering the holiday mood and highlighting a widening gap between the prime minister’s rhetoric and the harsh realities on the ground, more than a month into the US-Israeli military campaign in Iran.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid quickly responded with a video criticizing Netanyahu’s speech as “arrogant.” Lapid argued that despite the passage of time, Iran continued to launch ballistic missiles at Israel under Supreme Leader Khamenei, with little change in the strategic situation. “Netanyahu is unable to make a strategic decision. He is simply incapable,” Lapid said.
Political Tensions Deepen
The exchange underscores growing fissures in Israel’s political landscape. While most Israelis still support the military campaign, public confidence in the government’s ability to achieve its stated objectives is waning.
A recent survey by the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) found that belief in the collapse or weakening of the Iranian regime due to the US-Israeli campaign has dropped from nearly 70% at the war’s outset to 43.5% today. Confidence in Israel’s ability to severely damage Iran’s nuclear program has fallen from 62% to 48%, while expectations for crippling Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal have slipped from 73% to 57%. Opinion is nearly evenly split on whether Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy in Lebanon, can be disarmed.
Veteran Israeli journalist Avi Issacharoff wrote in Yediot Aharonot, “Bibi led Israel into a super-justified war, but with his great skill, he turned it into one whose essence many do not understand, or its purpose, and exactly how he plans to end it. Classic Bibi – proclaiming victory, instead of focusing on the goals.”
Domestic Policies Fuel Discord
The erosion of confidence is compounded by domestic political decisions. Netanyahu’s coalition recently passed the controversial 2026 budget, securing government control until October elections. The budget heavily favors ultra-Orthodox political allies, while reducing education and healthcare spending and increasing taxes. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called it “the most reckless and anti-Zionist budget in the history of the State of Israel.”
Meanwhile, a divisive conscription bill is moving forward, maintaining military exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men, even as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) report a shortage of 15,000 soldiers during wartime. Reservists have been stretched across multiple fronts, including Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran, often serving hundreds of days over the past two and a half years. Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot criticized the policy, noting, “One hand dismisses and rewards the evaders, and the other hand extends the service of those who serve.”
The government also pushed through a death-penalty bill for Palestinians convicted of terror attacks, championed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. Netanyahu supported the measure despite warnings that it could provoke international backlash and increase Israel’s diplomatic isolation.
Legal Controversies and US Pressure
Netanyahu’s personal legal troubles remain a flashpoint. Seeking to halt his year-long trial for fraud, bribery, and breach of trust, he formally requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog in November.
US President Donald Trump has actively pressured Herzog to grant the pardon, publicly criticizing delays and labeling Netanyahu a “disgrace” and “scoundrel” for not being pardoned promptly. Trump said Netanyahu should focus solely on the war. The unusual intervention from a US president during an ongoing allied conflict sparked debate over diplomatic norms.
Legal experts note that pardoning Netanyahu before conviction would be highly unusual and likely face Supreme Court challenges. Israeli officials report that while Netanyahu has denied orchestrating Trump’s statements, the interventions were coordinated with his inner circle. “Trump spoke from the blood of his heart,” Netanyahu said in March, declining to disavow the comments. “US presidents are entitled to say what is on their minds.”
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