Axios: Bibi’s last stand

Posted on October 7, 2026 by michelleclarke2015
Bibi’s last stand
 
Photo illustration of Benjamin Netanyahu surrounded by abstract elements of an Israeli flag, destruction in Gaza and Israeli tanks.
Photo illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photos via Getty Images
 
Israel is marking the third anniversary of the Oct. 7 terror attacks three weeks before an election where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s personal culpability for the country’s worst-ever security failure will be a central issue, Axios’ Barak Ravid and Dave Lawler write.

Why it matters: Netanyahu has defied expectations by keeping his government afloat through years of simultaneous wars and perpetual emergency. Tight polls still leave the ultimate political survivor a path to hang on.

The big picture: Oct. 7 still looms over the country and his candidacy. The opposition lambasts him for refusing to take responsibility or allow an independent inquiry into the Hamas attacks that killed around 1,200 people.

Netanyahu’s chief opponent, former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, lost his son and two nephews during the war in Gaza. Sources close to Eisenkot say he sees his main mission as replacing the man he holds responsible for allowing the Oct. 7 attacks

🔎 Zoom in: Netanyahu blames the deep state, claiming his security chiefs kept him in the dark. His political and media allies have even spread conspiracy theories implying that those officials betrayed Israel.

But recent reporting suggests Netanyahu had at least some warning. Israeli outlet Haaretz reported that United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ) told Netanyahu that Hamas was planning a major operation days before the attack.

Three knowledgeable sources confirm to Axios that UAE intelligence gave a general warning to its Israeli counterparts and that MBZ spoke to Netanyahu to make sure he received it.

Netanyahu denies receiving the UAE warning and has sued several media outlets and journalists that reported he had.

Between the lines: The vote could determine not just Netanyahu’s political survival, but his legal future as well.

Losing power would also mean losing any levers to delay or influence an ongoing corruption trial.

But if he wins, Netanyahu could argue he was acquitted by the people of Israel and take stronger action to thwart the proceedings.

👀 The intrigue: President Trump could give Netanyahu a boost by endorsing him, but so far he’s declined.

Trump has privately blamed Netanyahu for the Oct. 7 failures, according to two people who have discussed the matter directly with the president. He’s also mused about Netanyahu damaging Israel’s international reputation.

However, Trump has stuck close to Netanyahu during the war in Iran and may still endorse him .Share this story.
Share on Facebook Tweet this Story Post to LinkedIn Email this Story Text this Story
 
 
2. 🗳️ Paxton privately blames Iran war
 
Photo illustration of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton next to an image of a gas nozzle and Iranian missiles
Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photos: Justin Lane-Pool, Sina Schuldt/picture alliance, and Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images
 
Texas Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton privately lamented the impact of the Iran war and gas prices on his campaign in a meeting last month, telling a group of donors and lobbyists, “I don’t make the decisions,” according to audio obtained by Axios’ Andrew Solender and Stef W. Kight.

Why it matters: It’s a candid admission from a close Trump ally about the challenging environment Republicans face this cycle.

Paxton, the Texas attorney general, was speaking to donors and lobbyists at a closed-door fundraiser in D.C.

The audio was provided to Axios by a person, granted anonymity because it was a private event, who was in the meeting and is opposed to Paxton.

President Trump is set to rally with Paxton in San Antonio today.

👂 What he said: Asked by one attendee what issues are “dragging” on his campaign, Paxton responded, “It’s not tariffs. … It’s the war, it’s gas prices, it’s diesel,” according to an audio file obtained by Axios.

“When it’s over $6 per gallon for diesel … people are feeling the pinch,” he continued, adding that the rising cost of fuel “drives up food prices and everything else.

“The Republican candidate said affordability is “by far our biggest problem” and “why we’re having a hard time with numbers

.”Paxton pointed to his tax cut plan — which includes new housing and health care write-offs and an expansion of the child tax credit — as his proposed remedy on affordability.

“I’m just trying to figure out ways I can help people. That’s the only way: I can propose legislation,” he said.

“So many factors in this federal race are uncontrollable. I don’t make the decisions, and I don’t … know what’s behind some of the decisions,” he added.

Keep reading.
Unknown's avatar

About michelleclarke2015

Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a comment