With polls plunging, Netanyahu rebrands himself as responsible adult
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu realized that if he wants to preserve his popularity and save the Likud party from plunging in the polls, he must focus on one thing only: defeating the coronavirus pandemic.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu landed Oct. 28 by helicopter in Israel’s northern border area in order to observe the last stage of the massive Lethal Arrow military exercise that simulated multifront warfare.
The prime minister, dressed in a black polo shirt that matched his black mask, chatted with the soldiers and was photographed with them. Then he turned to send a well-photographed warning message to Hezbollah: “Even during the coronavirus [outbreak], our enemies are not stagnant and neither are we. In this exercise I have been impressed by the vast improvement in the IDF’s [Israel Defense Forces] offensive capabilities,” Netanyahu said. “Hezbollah and the state of Lebanon should take this into account. Whoever attacks us will encounter firepower and a steel fist that will destroy any enemy.”
The pictures and videos of the visit were disseminated by the prime minister’s office on every possible media platform. However, it is doubtful whether Israel’s citizens really appreciated the show of power, as they cope with the ramifications of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
But Netanyahu’s trip to the northern front allowed him to distance himself a bit from the virus imbroglio. It was a way to remind the public that Israel’s numerous security threats do not disappear even during a pandemic, and that he, as "Mr. Security,” is the best person for the job.
