Iranophobia: Netanyahu’s bid to transform fear into political survival

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that Israeli caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing mounting political pressure at home and is seeking ways to prolong his hold on power, including by pushing the prospect of renewed confrontation with Iran. The article says he has ordered the Israeli military to prepare for war and has been pressing for stronger action in repeated calls with US President Donald Trump, while Israel’s military leadership and opposition figures have urged restraint.

The piece frames this as part of a broader struggle over Israel’s next government after months of political instability, civil-liberties concerns and regional warfare. Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has been given the task of trying to assemble a viable government, but Netanyahu is reportedly seeking either a national unity arrangement that would keep him in office or a return to elections if that effort fails.

Analysts quoted by Al Jazeera argue that Netanyahu may be trying to use fear of Iran to reshape the political debate. They say many Israelis have long been told to view Iran as an existential threat, which could make the public more willing to support military action even if they suspect political motives. The article adds that this dynamic matters because a war with Iran could have serious regional and global consequences, while also affecting Israel’s internal political future.