NextFin news, On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, two years after the devastating Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, Israel is experiencing unprecedented political polarization and widespread public dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. The attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,139 Israelis and the kidnapping of 250 others, initially united the country but has since given way to renewed divisions and unrest.
Immediately following the Hamas assault, which involved thousands of militants breaching the Gaza border and launching rockets, Israeli society showed a rare moment of unity across political lines. However, this cohesion was short-lived. Experts such as Dr. Gayil Talshir, a political scientist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, note that the polarization dissolved temporarily but resurfaced strongly as the prolonged conflict continued.
Since the attack, Israel has been engaged in a brutal military campaign against Gaza lasting over 731 days, resulting in nearly 70,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 800 Israeli military casualties. The Gaza Strip remains devastated, with ongoing humanitarian crises and 48 Israeli hostages still held, only 20 of whom are confirmed alive. This conflict is considered the longest war in Israel’s history, driven by complex political and military interests.
Netanyahu’s government, dominated by ultra-right coalition partners such as Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, has pursued expansionist policies and maintained a hardline stance on Gaza and the occupied West Bank. This approach has alienated a majority of Israelis, with surveys indicating that 79% of the population overwhelmingly favors ending the Gaza campaign in exchange for the release of hostages. Additionally, 78% support normalization with Arab countries like Saudi Arabia, while only 32% back annexation of the West Bank and 43% support annexing Gaza. A majority of 57% prefer a demilitarized Palestinian state under Arab supervision.
Public protests have become a weekly occurrence, with tens of thousands of Israelis demanding an end to the war and a political solution to the hostage crisis. Despite this, there is no clear political leadership or opposition figure capable of uniting the anti-government movement or leading a political transition. Activists like Mauricio Lepchnik highlight the deep social fractures and the government’s alleged exploitation of the trauma to perpetuate conflict and maintain power.
Netanyahu has also faced criticism for evading accountability over intelligence failures that allowed the Hamas attack and for expanding military operations into multiple fronts, including Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iran. His government’s policies have contributed to Israel’s growing international isolation, which experts warn poses risks not only to the state but also to Jewish communities worldwide.
In summary, two years after the Hamas attack, Israel is more polarized than ever, with a majority of its citizens frustrated by ongoing conflict, political stalemate, and the government’s direction under Netanyahu. The country faces significant challenges in healing societal wounds, resolving the Gaza conflict, and restoring democratic norms amid a protracted and complex crisis.
Explore more exclusive insights at nextfin.ai.
