Netanyahu's coalition faces criticism amid ongoing conflict in Israel

In July 2025, Israel continues wrestling with complex dynamics arising from the ongoing conflict with Hamas, which began escalations in 2023. The New York Times published an article criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggesting that his political maneuvers have prolonged the war to maintain power. Current polling indicates Netanyahu's Likud party leads despite a backdrop of societal rifts attributed to his administration's push against Israel's judiciary, which some say emboldened Hamas. While many Israeli leaders support the current military actions against Hamas, critics maintain that a broader centrist coalition could have better approached governance to stabilize Israel's political landscape. The article raised important points regarding the ongoing debate about judicial reforms, identifying that while there is a need for legal system changes, the suggested reforms by Netanyahu have led to increased tensions within Israeli society and a perception of vulnerability. Analysts noted that the protests stemming from these judicial reform debates gave Hamas an opportunity to capitalize on the perceived disunity among Israelis, framing the situation as one where internal strife potentially undermined national security. However, it is essential to clarify that the Israeli right does not equate the protests with Hamas’s military actions, which were viewed as opportunistic rather than a direct response to domestic political rearrangement. A prominent public sentiment reported highlights the Israeli population's desire to see an end to the war in exchange for hostages held by Hamas. While polls reflect that 74% of Israelis support such a resolution, analysts criticize the idea as unrealistic and disconnected from the reality of negotiations as no serious frameworks have been proposed by Hamas for an exchange. This reinforces the notion that calls for an end to hostilities may not align with the strategic interests of the Israeli government, which is focused on confronting Hamas in its entirety, recognizing the complexities of establishing peace without defeating the adversary completely. Furthermore, the dependence on fringe parties in Netanyahu's coalition government has led to certain policy compromises that may not reflect the broader Israeli public's consensus. In navigating these turbulent waters, Israeli leaders must reconcile the multitude of voices clamoring for a resolution in Gaza with the challenges of national security, political integrity, and international expectations. The current situation remains volatile, with the necessity for a coherent strategy to ensure safety and stability lingering in the Israeli consciousness while discord over leadership tactics persists.