Three Years After October 7, Netanyahu’s Blame Game and Qatar Bombing Dominate Israeli Elections

As Israel’s late-October 2026 elections approach, the shadow of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack looms larger than ever – and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doing everything he can to shift the spotlight elsewhere.

Nearly three years after the assault killed 1,139 Israelis and saw around 250 people taken hostage, the trauma continues to define Israeli politics. Wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran have followed, but the question of who failed to prevent the attack remains a central election issue. Netanyahu has refused to establish an independent inquiry into his government’s failings, even as separate investigations focus on the military and intelligence services. Critics, including former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot, accuse Netanyahu of ignoring warnings and assuming Hamas had been deterred – a charge he dismisses as political scapegoating.

But Netanyahu’s principal strategy, many analysts argue, is deflection. In a recent interview with Israel’s i24NEWS, he went a step further: he boasted about bombing Qatar. “I attacked Qatar, I also bombed it and attacked them during the war, and they attacked me,” Netanyahu said, referring to Israel’s strike on Doha on September 9, 2025. That bombing killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer during a US-backed ceasefire meeting. The interview came just days before the one-year anniversary of the strike, which Qatar condemned as a “blatant violation of all international laws and norms”. The United Nations Secretary-General called it a “flagrant violation” of Qatar’s sovereignty Al Jazeera, September 6, 2026.

Netanyahu’s boast also served to counter domestic accusations that funds he facilitated for Qatar to send to Gaza were used to arm Hamas. He insisted the money was intended solely for humanitarian purposes, as recommended by Israeli security agencies. But his critics argue that the policy of allowing Qatari cash to flow into Gaza – a practice that continued under his watch – emboldened Hamas and contributed to the group’s military buildup.

What does this mean for someone living in the Netherlands?

While the Dutch government does not directly influence Israeli elections, the outcome will have ripple effects across Europe – particularly on migration, security, and diplomatic relations. The Netherlands has a large Jewish and Muslim population, and any escalation in the Middle East often fuels tensions here. The ongoing wars have already led to increased security measures at Dutch synagogues and mosques, and the Dutch parliament has repeatedly debated whether to support independent investigations into war crimes in Gaza. If Netanyahu remains in power and continues to resist an inquiry into October 7, pressure on European capitals – including The Hague – to take a stronger stance may grow.

Moreover, the Dutch government still hosts the International Criminal Court, which has faced calls to investigate Israeli officials for actions in Gaza. A Netanyahu victory could accelerate diplomatic friction, while a change in leadership might open the door to renewed ceasefire talks and humanitarian access.

The election landscape

Polls show a fragmented electorate, with Netanyahu’s Likud party facing stiff competition from a coalition of centrist and left-wing parties, including Eisenkot’s faction that has made an independent inquiry into October 7 a central campaign promise. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has also re-entered the fray, accusing Netanyahu of presiding over a “security doctrine built on illusion” Al Jazeera, September 4, 2026.

Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial adds another layer of uncertainty. If he loses the election, he could face a more hostile legal environment; if he wins, he may seek legislative changes to shield himself from prosecution.

Hostages and the human dimension

Beyond the political calculus, the families of the remaining captives continue to demand action. While some hostages were released in earlier truce deals, dozens are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza. The lack of a full independent inquiry has deepened the sense of betrayal among many Israelis – and that grief is a raw electoral force.

The bottom line

For the international community – including expats and long-term residents of the Netherlands – the Israeli elections are not a distant affair. The next government in Jerusalem will shape the trajectory of the war, the prospects for a two-state solution, and the stability of the wider region. And the memory of October 7, combined with Netanyahu’s defiant rhetoric, will dominate the ballot box.

Read the original reports: Al Jazeera – October 7 attack shapes Israel’s elections and Al Jazeera – Netanyahu boasts about bombing Qatar.