Cracks in Netanyahu's 'Magic': Israeli Expert Analyzes Gap Between Military Promises and Propaganda Crisis

As the Knesset elections, scheduled six months from now, approach, deep questions arise about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ability to maintain his political position. Observers believe that the 'charisma' that characterized Netanyahu for decades has begun to fade even among his traditional supporters, despite his continued political maneuvering.

Nevo Cohen, an expert in party affairs, explained that Netanyahu's political shrewdness is still recognized even by his fiercest opponents, as he is seen as one of the most cunning politicians globally. Cohen noted that some politicians describe him as a student who surpassed 'Machiavelli' in the arts of deception and political sarcasm, but this talent has begun to show signs of cracking.

Cohen, in an analysis published by the occupation press, considered the recent war against Iran to be an advanced model from a geopolitical and military perspective. The operation witnessed unprecedented coordination with the United States, leading to absolute air superiority and widespread destruction of Iranian military and industrial infrastructure.

Despite this military success, the expert believes that Netanyahu fell into the trap of propaganda failure, an area he historically considered his favorite playground. Instead of quietly leveraging the field results, he engaged in making overly ambitious promises that are difficult to achieve on the ground, which negatively affected his public image.

The analysis compared Netanyahu's stance to Winston Churchill's during World War II, where the latter failed to draw America into the war until after the 'Pearl Harbor' disaster. In contrast, Netanyahu managed to convince Donald Trump to engage in a direct confrontation with Tehran without the need for a shocking event, which is a remarkable tactical superiority.

The fundamental difference lies in the fact that Churchill was frank with his people when he promised them blood, sweat, and tears as the price of victory. Netanyahu, however, chose to sell illusions of 'complete victory' and regime change in Iran, goals that raised popular expectations to unrealistic levels, leading to his decline in opinion polls.

Cohen points out that historical leaders such as David Ben-Gurion and Levi Eshkol were cautious in their public statements, letting the results speak for themselves. While generals advanced in the field, leaders focused on a discourse of defense and survival rather than boasting about occupation and expansion.

Netanyahu's arrogant statements put him in a defensive position, where he is now forced to provide justifications and apologies for the failure to achieve major promises. This behavior reflects a reversal in his operational theory, which previously relied on 'doing little and making a lot of noise' to maintain the status quo.

The Prime Minister's office is suffering from a clear state of disintegration, with figures in his inner circle described as incompetent or controversial. The expert believes that Netanyahu's inability to cleanse his surroundings of these individuals when scandals occur reinforces the impression that he has lost actual control of affairs.

Criticism is escalating within the right-wing camp itself, with some believing that the extremists surrounding the Prime Minister are now dictating general policies to him. This internal pressure has made Netanyahu a hostage to specific currents, reducing the room for maneuver he once enjoyed as an absolute ruler within his party.

While Netanyahu was preoccupied with his frequent visits to Washington and meetings with Trump, there were internal movements seeking to undermine his influence from beneath his feet. These movements were led by former allies and ambitious rivals who exploited his preoccupation with foreign affairs to strengthen their positions within Israel.

Netanyahu's only remaining strength is the fragmentation within the opposition camp, where his opponents are preoccupied with internal disputes instead of uniting against him. This division gives him an opportunity to remain in power for longer, but it does not address the growing crisis of trust with a public weary of war promises.

Failure to 'shape consciousness' is the hardest blow for a politician who built his glory on propaganda, as resonant speeches are no longer enough to obscure field realities. The Israeli public has become aware of the gap between what is said in press conferences and what is actually achieved in the ongoing confrontation with enemies.

Ultimately, Netanyahu faces a fateful test in the upcoming elections, where the ballot boxes will be the judge of his strategy's effectiveness. Will 'Machiavellian cunning' succeed in saving him once again, or has the 'magic of propaganda' irrevocably ended in the face of a complex political and military reality?

Netanyahu achieved with Trump what Churchill did not achieve with Roosevelt, but he failed to shape public consciousness due to his promises that exceeded reality.