Netanyahu's dominance over Likud holds for now
Despite challenges from some Likud seniors, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu retains his status as party leader and the right's most popular politician.
It has been three months since Benjamin Netanyahu left the prime minister’s office and his strength is being tested by his own party.
At first, the feeling has been that the new government, which took power with the narrowest possible margin, would soon fall. Netanyahu and his base. were convinced that the Likud’s defeat was an unfortunate blip, and that Netanyahu would soon return to the office that was stolen from him.
However, the new government has successfully managed to clear hurdles while being embraced by the media, making it easier to function. As a result, more voices in the Likud are beginning to wonder about the role Netanyahu played in their party’s downfall. This should certainly worry him.
Netanyahu was long considered unbeatable, at least within his own party, and he benefited from his iconic status. His ability to be reelected time after time and to keep the Likud in power for 12 consecutive years contributed to the sense that he is a once-in-a-lifetime leader.
