Israeli election to test Benjamin Netanyahu’s ability to hold power

October 25, 2026 / 9:27 AM EDT / CBS News

Tens of thousands marched in Tel Aviv last night demanding Benjamin Netanyahu's government answer for the failures that led to the October 7 terror attacks. "We cannot be a dictatorship!" said one woman. "And we cannot have these criminals running our country."

Tuesday will be the first parliamentary elections since the attacks. Thirty-nine parties are running, but essentially one man is on the ballot: Netanyahu. Over three decades, Netanyahu (known here as Bibi) has dominated Israeli politics.

And in a market outside Tel Aviv, opinions about the prime minister are as varied as the offerings here.

Asked whom he will vote for, restaurant owner Benny Abraham replied, "Likud and Bibi Netanyahu."

"Bibi can handle the whole world," Abraham said. "Bibi is charismatic. He has a strong voice. The world loves him." He added affectionately, "He's the king of Israel."

Many others, like Liat and her husband Sharon, could be lumped into the "Anyone but Bibi" camp. "I don't hate him, OK, I think he did the good things to Israel, but no more," said Liat.

Sharon described Netanyahu as "more or less, very good politician, but not a [good manager]."

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/