Israeli election: What people think about Benjamin Netanyahu

Passerby:

“Just Bibi, for business, for everything – just Bibi.”

Passerby:

"He was a great leader for Israel, but I think he has been in power for far too long."

Thore Schröder, SPIEGEL:

»Israel is about to face an election that, according to many, could decide the fate of this country like no other before. We would like to know from Israelis what hopes and fears they have going into election day. And we’ll start here in Tel Aviv.”

Passerby:

»I really want the government to change. My family wants that too. Basically, I'm just afraid of losing democracy.

Passerby:

»Many leftists are against Bibi. Bibi doesn't like wars, but when there is no other choice, he fights them.

Passerby:

»I was born on the kibbutz on the border with the Gaza Strip. I have always felt the war - and now the whole country feels it. [...] This place needs to change. We have to feel safe here, regardless of whether the danger comes from outside or within."

Passerby:

»If I could vote for someone who is younger and hasn't been around as long, I would. But I don’t have that choice.”

On October 27, Israel will elect a new parliament - its first election since Hamas' invasion three years ago and Israel's subsequent wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. For the right-wing religious coalition and Benjamin Netanyahu personally, there is a lot at stake. No Israeli prime minister has ruled as long as he has. But it's likely to be close: the polls show no clear winner a few days before the election. Netanyahu's main challenger is this man: Gadi Eisenkot. With his Jashar party, the ex-military chief is part of the pro-democratic anti-Netanyahu camp. This met with approval in the young and more liberal Tel Aviv. And in Jerusalem?

Passerby:

»We are a small country under attack from eight sides by people who want to kill us. (…) That’s why a strong defense is most important for us..”

Passerby:

“It is important to support religion so that religious people are not drafted into the military and given mortgages.”

Passerby:

»I'm left-wing and vote for the Democrats. I would like to see the situation in the West Bank change. And that there are fewer harsh words and the dialogue becomes more humane and logical.

Passerby:

»Bibi Netanyahu is one of the greatest in the world. There is no one who can hold a candle to him. He does his job better than anyone else. He saved us from all wars. He protected us from all diseases, including Corona.”