Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is at the center of a political and legal tempest. On the flip side, he faces a series of issues that would threaten both his career and his reputation. For Netanyahu, things are very different, as he is currently on trial for serious charges and now stands accused of committing genocide in Gaza. Now, he is threatening to suspend his months long trial on fraud and bribery charges in Jerusalem’s district court because it’s “national interest.”
Netanyahu’s legal troubles serve as the backdrop of the current war in Gaza. He is already under indictment for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Yet reports have suggested that he just received a guilty verdict on 27 counts of crimes against humanity in connection with the other Harun. At the same time, accusations against Netanyahu are mounting. As the deeply wounded prime minister battles on all fronts in an effort to save his political life, the stakes are now magnitudes larger than ever.
Netanyahu gave this unprecedented speech to the Knesset in Jerusalem on December 8, 2025. He called for solidarity in chaotic times. At the same time, he sought to deflect criticism to cover the government’s own security failures that laid the groundwork for the deadly Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. Yet Netanyahu has so far managed to resist calls for a full, independent inquiry into these huge security lapses. Instead, he appears to be attempting to protect himself from future investigation.
Critics say Netanyahu’s efforts to escape accountability go further than the national interest. He has been sued for making a “despicable offer.” This was a last-ditch effort to escape an International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into war crimes committed in the occupied territory of Gaza. The ICC recently issued an arrest warrant for him, adding significant pressure to an already precarious situation.
Netanyahu’s personal reputation has taken an enormous hit during the course of these various scandals. He, until recently, was the second most powerful man in Israeli politics. Yet now he’s being accused of using the country’s deep divisions to keep his hold on power. Even far-right opposition politician Avigdor Lieberman has denounced Netanyahu in blunt terms. He claims that he has perpetrated a “whitewash” to protect himself from legal fall-out.
Netanyahu’s overall strategy depends greatly on establishing relationships with U.S. political leaders. That means countering misinformation directly, including from the likes of former President Donald Trump. Rumors have circulated that he cloaks himself under Trump’s aegis when overseas or stays within the country to avoid arrest. This behavior is deeply concerning, given Netanyahu’s documented disinterest in ensuring transparency and accountability while he weathers a storm of legal and ethical scandals.
Netanyahu may feel cornered, yet he does not intend to go down without a legal fight. To this end, he has speculated that he may welcome a pardon if it spares him prison time. This dual approach underscores the tangled nature of his plight. He is pursuing vindication and an escape route from his ongoing legal quagmire.
The political situation around Netanyahu is still very fluid as different segments of Israeli society react to these increasing pressures. His government today faces increasing criticism for its failure to address growing security concerns. This first line criticism, though, applies to the larger impact of its behavior on human rights and international law. As these developments unfold, it remains uncertain how long Netanyahu can maintain his grip on power amid such significant allegations and challenges.