By Ephraim Agbo
When the BBC’s Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen wrote on X that Benjamin Netanyahu is “presiding over a divided Israel” and that “the old fault lines are now chasms,” he captured the mood of a country in turmoil. War, politics, justice, and ideology have collided, leaving Israeli society deeply fractured and its future uncertain.
The Shock That Widened the Cracks
Israel’s fractures did not emerge overnight, but October 7, 2023 marked a turning point. The Hamas-led attacks killed around 1,200 Israelis and left hundreds taken hostage. The subsequent war in Gaza, which has raged for nearly two years, deepened existing divisions.
The trauma of the attack, bitter disputes over settlements, and a protracted military campaign combined to polarize public opinion. Many Israelis blame Netanyahu’s government for security failures, while his hardline stance and reliance on far-right coalition partners have turned him into both a symbol of loyalty and a lightning rod for anger.
Politics: An Embattled Leader, a Brittle Coalition
Netanyahu’s government — Israel’s 37th — rests on the fragile support of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties. These small but powerful partners shape policy on settlements, religious exemptions, and governance.
This coalition is brittle: when even one faction threatens withdrawal, the government either makes concessions, reshuffles ministries, or risks collapse. In mid-2025, for instance, United Torah Judaism announced plans to quit the coalition, exposing how a few seats can shake the government’s foundation. The result is instability that fuels distrust on the streets and in the Knesset.
Law and Legitimacy: Trials and Institutional Strain
Netanyahu is not only a prime minister but also a defendant. He faces ongoing criminal charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust — proceedings that have dragged on since 2019.
The legal battles overlap with the scars of the 2023 judicial-reform protests, when hundreds of thousands of Israelis marched weekly against attempts to weaken judicial independence. For supporters, reforms are necessary; for opponents, they strike at the heart of democracy. Either way, the fights have left the judiciary politicized and legitimacy in question.
Security and the Military: Unity Under Pressure
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), once the backbone of national cohesion, now shows visible cracks. Reports cite tens of thousands of reservists declining call-ups, alongside open letters from officers protesting government policies.
Meanwhile, disagreements between military chiefs and political leaders over Gaza strategy — from whether to occupy Gaza City to the length of the war — have become public. Where Israelis once “rallied round the flag,” they now argue fiercely about what security means and how it should be pursued.
International Fallout and Legal Exposure
Israel’s military tactics in Gaza have brought global scrutiny. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken steps that suggest potential legal jeopardy for Israeli leaders, while the UN continues to raise alarms about humanitarian catastrophe — famine, shortages, and rising child deaths.
Diplomatically, Israel leans heavily on security arguments to justify its actions, but critics argue that Netanyahu’s approach has pushed the country toward growing isolation. Even allies now balance military cooperation with public criticism of civilian casualties.
What “Chasms” Look Like in Practice
Bowen’s “chasms” are not abstract metaphors — they are lived realities:
- Security vs. restraint: many demand decisive military action, others demand limits and hostage prioritization.
- Survival vs. democracy: some view this government as essential, others see it as a threat to democratic order.
- Elite bargains vs. public mandate: policy shaped by tiny coalition factions undermines majority confidence.
- Military cohesion vs. civil dissent: reservist protests reveal fractures that weaken security capacity.
- Diplomatic alliances vs. global isolation: tactical support abroad coexists with legal and political condemnation.
What Comes Next: Three Scenarios
Israel’s near future will likely follow one of three paths:
- Managed stalemate (most likely): The coalition survives through endless concessions, internal protests continue, and international pressure grows but does not break policy.
- Domestic crisis and protests: A failed military operation, hostage deaths, or a sharp legal ruling sparks mass demonstrations that force early elections or a reshuffle.
- Political realignment (less likely): Moderates and defectors unite into a viable centrist coalition, reshaping Israeli politics — but only if credible leadership emerges.
Bottom Line
Jeremy Bowen’s observation is not rhetorical flourish. Israel today faces intersecting crises of security, legitimacy, and cohesion. Netanyahu — immensely influential but politically vulnerable — is at the eye of the storm.
These divides are not temporary disagreements but structural fractures. They will shape Israeli politics, society, and its regional posture long after the current war fades. The “chasms” are real, and bridging them will define Israel’s future.
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