How Netanyahu’s Politics Shape Israel’s Foreign Policy

In today’s interconnected world, domestic politics and foreign policy are inseparable. Domestic policy reflects the interests of the people—the “heart” of the nation—while foreign policy acts as its “brain,” navigating the international arena to protect national interests. Leaders with long tenures often shape both internal and external strategies.

One of the longest-serving leaders in parliamentary democracies is Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. During his leadership, Israel faced historic challenges, and Netanyahu consistently defended national interests on the global stage. His strong position in the Knesset reflects significant public trust, allowing him to pursue strategic goals both at home and abroad.

This post examines how Netanyahu’s domestic agenda influenced Israel’s foreign policy from 2009 to 2025. We will look at the impact of foreign actors on internal affairs, the role of media in shaping perceptions, and how domestic successes—such as the elimination of terrorist leaders and the Abraham Accords—strengthened his position. Special attention will also be given to October 7, 2023, the devastating attack on Israel, and the international response, showing how Netanyahu’s strategy reshaped the Middle East.

The Influence of Domestic Policy on Israel’s Foreign Policy under Netanyahu 

Israel’s domestic politics are shaped by both the legislative and executive branches, with the Knesset — the parliament — at the center. Composed of 120 deputies and ministers representing the population, it oversees a political system where elections occur every four years, or earlier if a vote of no confidence dissolves the government. This creates a dynamic environment of constant interaction between coalition and opposition, ideological competition, active public participation, and frequent protests.

Coalitions and Public Opinion

From 2009 to 2025, Benjamin Netanyahu led Israel under a generally stable coalition, controlling 64–70 mandates in the 120-seat Knesset. This stability allowed him to pursue long-term and balanced foreign policy goals. A notable disruption came in 2021, when Netanyahu could not form a coalition. Naftali Bennett joined forces with Yair Lapid, agreeing to rotate the prime ministership. With only six mandates, this government sought to signal alignment with the Biden administration through a “no surprises” policy toward the United States. However, many Israelis viewed it as weak, vulnerable to foreign influence, and overly cautious.

Pressure from France and the United States to transfer a gas field to Lebanon added tension. In 2022, interim Prime Minister Yair Lapid signed the agreement, arguing it enhanced Israel’s security and prevented war with Hezbollah. The opposition condemned it as capitulation, and subsequent attacks by Hezbollah revealed the policy’s short-term nature. Netanyahu, rallying opposition forces, dissolved the government within a year and formed a stable coalition in 2022. This episode highlighted how domestic unity strengthens Israel’s foreign policy. During external threats, Israeli society tends to unite behind strong leadership, choosing leaders like Netanyahu who assert national interests even against powerful allies.

Leadership and Ideology

Netanyahu’s career, from working at Israel’s mission to the United Nations at age 28 to becoming the youngest Israeli ambassador to the UN at 35, reflects deep diplomatic experience and strategic vision. He emphasizes national security, state survival, and preservation of Jewish identity. As he famously stated: “An Israeli prime minister must be able to say no to the president of the United States on matters that endanger our existence”.

Ideologically, Netanyahu combines realism with right-wing conservatism. As chairman of the Likud party, he promotes a national-liberal vision, strong defense doctrine, and firm stances against terrorism and threats from Iran. Domestically, his leadership reinforces cohesion; internationally, he builds strategic alliances to maintain Israel’s independence and a balance of power. His ideology and leadership reinforce each other, creating resilience against external pressures.

Internal Conflicts and Protests

Political engagement in Israel often leads to internal conflicts. In 2023, Netanyahu’s judicial reform proposal triggered violent protests rather than peaceful demonstrations. The reform aimed to curb what was called the “judicial coup” of 1992, when Supreme Court President Aharon Barak expanded the court’s authority to annul Knesset legislation and government decisions using principles like “reasonableness.” Former Supreme Court President Esther Hayut once declared: “We come second only to God”.

The judiciary’s autonomy excluded public and governmental participation, giving it significant influence over politics. Opposition forces, including U.S.-based actors via USAID, escalated unrest, directing over 160 million shekels (about 45 million dollars) to media and protest organizations. The media amplified dissent, spreading criticism and undermining national cohesion, while also influencing Israel’s international image. These events reveal characteristics of a “deep state”.

The result was weakened domestic unity and challenges to Israel’s foreign policy. Netanyahu’s ability to consolidate support internally showed that leadership, public cohesion, and domestic policy directly affect Israel’s position on the global stage.

The Influence of Foreign Policy on Israel’s Domestic Politics under Netanyahu

Foreign policy in Israel is largely shaped by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Unlike domestic issues, it rarely becomes the subject of broad public debate. Yet international pressure and external threats—terrorist organizations, hostile states, and regional conflicts—directly affect Israel’s domestic politics, shaping legislation, public opinion, and societal cohesion. The interplay between foreign challenges and domestic responses has been particularly pronounced under Netanyahu, whose long tenure allowed for strategic continuity.

External Threats and National Unity

Israel has faced existential threats throughout its history. Groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and other Iranian proxies continually challenge its security. During crises, the Jewish people demonstrate resilience and national solidarity, rallying behind the government. This unity is not only a social phenomenon but a critical political factor: public perception of strong leadership directly affects coalition stability and legislative outcomes.

Defending Israel’s interests and security has been a cornerstone of Netanyahu’s foreign policy. In 2011, when President Obama suggested using the 1967 borders as the basis for a peace agreement, Netanyahu responded:
“Remember that, before 1967, Israel was all of nine miles wide. These were not the boundaries of peace; they were the boundaries of repeated wars.”

This firm stance on sovereignty and national security became a hallmark of Netanyahu’s leadership, reinforcing his image domestically as a leader who prioritizes survival and national interest over international pressure.

The Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023—the deadliest against Jews since the Holocaust—exacerbated regional instability and tested Israel’s internal cohesion. Initially, the United States expressed unequivocal support, which later showed signs of wavering during ground operations. When Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Israel, Netanyahu asserted:
“Tony, we will fight with our fingernails if we have to. And we did.”

Such decisive action not only defended Israel’s borders but also consolidated political support, strengthened Netanyahu’s coalition, reduced opposition criticism, and mobilized society in response to existential threats.

International Relations and Strategic Perception

Netanyahu’s diplomatic successes, particularly the Abraham Accords of 2020 with the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, elevated Israel’s regional influence, opened economic opportunities, and strengthened internal political stability. Trade agreements and defense contracts, including a significant arms deal with Morocco, contributed to economic growth and enhanced Israel’s global standing.

However, the international landscape remained volatile. Iran’s indirect support of Hamas, the UN’s selective criticism of Israel, and international pressures highlighted persistent global challenges. Despite these pressures, Netanyahu leveraged Israel’s diplomatic achievements to reinforce domestic unity. Opposition parties aligned with his coalition, demonstrating how foreign policy successes can directly strengthen internal governance.

Terrorist Groups: Profile, Methods, and Domestic Impact

Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Iranian proxies remain the most significant threats to Israel. Hamas, rooted in the Muslim Brotherhood, rejected negotiations even after Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza in 2005. The October 2023 attack involved thousands of militants, killed over a thousand, and took hundreds of hostages. These attacks amplified societal solidarity, rallied political support behind the government, and accelerated security-focused legislation.

Hezbollah, with a massive arsenal and tens of thousands of elite fighters, played a central role in the Second Lebanon War of 2006 and resumed attacks alongside Hamas in October 2023. Israeli counteroperations, including “Operation Pagers” in 2024, targeted key leadership without prior foreign notification to prevent leaks, demonstrating Israel’s strategic independence.

Both organizations employ rockets, tunnels, drones, cyberattacks, social media propaganda, and civilian shields, seeking to destabilize Israel politically and isolate it internationally. Nevertheless, these threats reinforced the domestic perception of the necessity for a firm, security-driven government, shaping legislative priorities such as anti-terrorism measures, immigration control, and defense budgeting.

Under Netanyahu, Israel’s foreign policy has directly shaped domestic politics. External threats unite society, strengthen coalitions, and influence legislative priorities, while diplomatic successes enhance internal stability and economic growth. Netanyahu’s ability to translate foreign challenges into domestic consolidation demonstrates the inseparability of Israel’s external and internal political spheres. By defending national interests assertively, Israel not only maintains sovereignty but reinforces societal cohesion and political resilience, highlighting the interplay between leadership, security, and governance.

Netanyahu’s Policy: A Critical Analysis, Alternative Approaches, and Historical Parallels

Over 18 years in power, particularly from 2009 to 2025, Benjamin Netanyahu profoundly shaped Israel’s domestic and foreign policy. His leadership generated both devoted supporters and vocal critics.

Netanyahu’s pragmatic and hardline foreign policy forged alliances across Africa and Asia. A landmark achievement was the Abraham Accords of 2020, signed with four Arab states. These agreements elevated Israel’s international status and directly impacted domestic affairs by boosting tourism, attracting investments, and initiating projects such as I2U2.

Following the October 7, 2023 attack, Netanyahu’s decision to decisively target Hamas and Hezbollah became central to national policy. This approach gained public support and strengthened coalition cohesion. At the same time, the opposition criticized the government’s uncompromising stance, warning that it could provoke confrontations with international organizations, risk diplomatic isolation, and harm the economy.

An alternative approach was attempted during the Bennett-Lapid government in 2021–2022. Their “no surprises” policy toward the United States aimed to maintain predictable relations, but the government failed to secure broad support and collapsed within a year. Concessions such as transferring a gas field to Lebanon and opposing Russia at the UN were viewed by right-wing circles as threats to national security, and subsequent Hezbollah attacks confirmed these concerns.

Historically, Netanyahu aligns more closely with Menachem Begin, the founder of Likud. Both emphasize national security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Previous left-leaning leaders pursued “land for peace” policies — Shimon Peres, Ehud Barak, Ehud Olmert — and Ariel Sharon’s unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 ended in strategic setbacks. Since then, Gaza has served as a launchpad for attacks on Israel. Unlike his predecessors, Netanyahu consistently defended Israel’s sovereignty, demonstrating that strength is essential in achieving stability and peace, as evidenced by the Abraham Accords.

Netanyahu’s policy addresses Israel’s complex challenges by maintaining a balance of power and preparing the country for future diplomatic initiatives. His leadership combines firmness in security and foreign policy with adaptability in domestic governance, preserving national unity. Unlike many politicians, Netanyahu prioritizes long-term strategy over short-term populism, reinforcing Israel’s resilience and international standing.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership redefined Israel’s path in an era of global turbulence. By combining strategic foresight with firm principles, he bridged domestic politics and foreign policy into a unified national strategy. His governance strengthened Israel’s security, expanded its diplomatic reach, and reinforced its identity as a resilient regional power.

In a world where leadership often bends to pressure, Israel under Netanyahu stood firm — proving that national strength and strategic vision remain the pillars of sovereignty and peace.

For those interested in a more detailed examination of Israel’s domestic and foreign policy under Netanyahu, the full article, Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy: The Case of Israel under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is available on SSRN and on ResearchGate.