Governing Against the Will of the People

The Netanyahu Government Since 2022

On November 1, 2022, Israeli voters returned Benjamin Netanyahu to power for a sixth term as Prime Minister, leading what observers have described as the most right-wing government in Israel’s history. Since then all of the polls taken suggest that more than 75% of Israelis believe he should step down and that new elections should be held. This dramatic disconnect reveals a troubling pattern: a government consistently pursuing policies contrary to the expressed will of the Israeli people.

The Judicial Overhaul: Democracy Under Siege

Despite massive public opposition and the largest protests in Israeli history, the government has pressed ahead with their judicial overhaul. In July of 2023, the Knesset passed a bill curbing the Supreme Court’s power to declare government decisions unreasonable. In a historic decision on January 1, 2024, the Israeli Supreme Court struck down this law by a vote of 8-7, marking the first time the Supreme Court had struck down a Basic Law.

Undeterred, the Netanyahu government resumed its assault on judicial independence. On March 27, 2025, the Knesset passed another judicial reform law changing the composition of the committee that selects judges, giving politicians more control over the process. The law passed 67-1 after the opposition boycotted the final vote.

Empowering Extremists

The Netanyahu government allocated extraordinary powers to figures widely considered beyond the pale of mainstream Israeli politics. Ben-Gvir, a notorious extremist, controls Israel’s police and violent paramilitary border police in the West Bank with expanded powers as minister of national security. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich took charge of most of the Civil Administration, obtaining broad authority over civilian issues in the West Bank. Israeli peace groups condemned this as de jure annexation. Even Israeli President Isaac Herzog was caught saying “the whole world is worried” about Ben-Gvir’s far-right positions.

Ignoring Security Warnings: The Path to October 7

Perhaps most tragic was the government’s dismissal of security warnings that led to the October 7 catastrophe. The Military Intelligence Directorate issued four separate warnings to Netanyahu between March and July 2023, and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar explicitly warned Netanyahu in July 2023 that “war is coming.”

The consequences were devastating. October 7, 2023 was the single deadliest day in Israeli history, when Palestinian attackers killed nearly 1,200 people and took 251 hostage. Israel had obtained Hamas’ battle plans in 2018 and 2022 but failed to translate them into actionable threats. Netanyahu’s office acknowledged his intelligence officer received an IDF memo detailing suspicious Hamas activity three hours before the attack but didn’t pass it on.

Refusing Accountability

In October 7’s aftermath, the Israeli public demanded comprehensive investigation. However, Netanyahu refused to acknowledge direct responsibility and resisted establishing a state commission of inquiry. He has also worked to suppress investigations into major corruption scandals, including the submarine affair and the emerging “Qatargate” scandal, where his closest aides were arrested for suspected unlawful ties to Qatar, Hamas’s primary financial backer.

Politicizing Security Leadership

Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024, citing lack of mutual trust during wartime. A previous attempt in March 2023 sparked widespread protests. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi resigned in January 2025 over October 7 failures, representing systematic removal of security professionals who might challenge the government.

Military Burden Inequality

After the Supreme Court unanimously ruled on June 25, 2024, that ultra-Orthodox exemption from military service was illegal, the government continued resisting equal service obligations. This became more sensitive after October 7, as Israeli society bears extended reserve service while an entire sector remains exempt. In July 2025, Netanyahu removed Likud MK Yuli Edelstein as Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman for refusing to advance Haredi exemption legislation.

Failed War Management

The government’s Gaza war handling demonstrated continued disregard for public opinion. Despite growing pressure for hostage deals, officials repeatedly opposed negotiated settlements. Meetings with hostage families were described as chaotic, with Sara Netanyahu reportedly accusing families of helping Hamas.

Netanyahu’s delayed response was exemplified by his belated first visit to Kibbutz Nir Oz on July 3, 2025—636 days after the massacre that killed or kidnapped 117 of 400 residents. A July 23, 2025 Channel 13 poll showed 61% of Israelis believe fighting should end even at the cost of leaving Hamas in power, directly contradicting the government’s stated position.

Continued Governance Despite Electoral Weakness

Despite this litany of unpopular policies, polls show the current pro-Netanyahu coalition would win only 49 of 120 Knesset seats if elections were held. All mainstream polling since October 2023 suggests Netanyahu’s coalition would lose the next election. Rather than change course, the coalition advances legislation making it easier to disqualify Arab candidates from parliament.

Conclusion

Since December 2022, the Netanyahu government has consistently pursued policies opposed by large majorities of Israeli citizens. From judicial overhaul triggering historic protests, to empowering extremist ministers, to dismissing security warnings leading to October 7, this government prioritized narrow political survival over national interest.

The disconnect has reached unprecedented levels. When a government consistently acts against citizens’ clearly expressed will, employs authoritarian tactics to silence opposition, and manipulates institutions to maintain power despite electoral weakness, it crosses the line from democratic governance to authoritarian rule.