This Tuesday, millions of Israelis will enter the voting booth with mixed emotions – feelings of trauma and pride.
Trauma from the invasion and a sense of pride in the military actions that followed. During an ongoing existential war on seven fronts, Israel needs proven, clear, and decisive leadership.
That’s why in that quiet, sacred cubicle – I will be voting for victory.
Yes, I am still living through the trauma of October 7, which needs to be thoroughly investigated through a cross-party inquiry that will question current and former IDF chiefs of staff, prime ministers, and defense ministers on both sides of the aisle – but that doesn’t change the current challenges on the horizon.
In the past three years, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rewritten our national defense doctrine and delivered some of the greatest military feats in the history of warfare.
Every step of the way, he faced immense pressure from home and abroad, including from those who seek to replace him in this election.
Had he capitulated and ended the war when Gadi Eisenkot had suggested, we would have never entered Rafah. We would have potentially left countless hostages in the hands of Hamas. Not to mention the beeper attacks on Hezbollah and actions against the Houthis and Iran.
Instead, we now control over 60% of Gaza.
All the hostages were returned to Israel.
Hezbollah is crushed.
And the Islamic Republic of Iran is on its last legs.
The current government has many naysayers, but nobody can deny that what they have achieved on the battlefield thus far is historic; however, much of the progress could unravel if the missions are not completed.
Voting for victory
Voters need to ask themselves who is more likely to bring down the Iranian Regime, end the nuclear threat, and usher in a new era of regional peace and stability.
Those with a proven track record in war and peace who have committed to Iranian regime change or a newly formed amalgamation of parties who agree on few things beyond their disdain for Netanyahu.
There is no path for Eisenkot to reach a Knesset majority without joining forces with the far-left, Arab and Islamist parties, which would render his government impotent.
Imagine we are on the eve of a joint American Israeli attack against the remnants of the Iranian nuclear program, and the Pentagon is waiting to hear if Israel is on board, pending a decision from the Islamist Ra’am movement’s Shura Council of elders.
This isn’t a joke; it’s a dangerous possibility.
In contrast, Netanyahu has a much clearer path to a majority and has already stated that once he joins with his natural allies, he will reach out to others to bolster the national consensus.
This comes alongside an unprecedented endorsement by US President Donald Trump, who clearly wants to keep the winning team together to finish the job.
Now is not the time to throw the dice on Israel’s security.
That’s why I solemnly believe that a vote for Netanyahu is a vote for victory.
The writer is a seasoned public relations professional, political strategist, and former Israeli government spokesman who is currently heading English-language outreach for the Likud party in the upcoming election.