The End of Sectoral Politics: Rebuilding Israel's National Identity Post-October 7

This analytical piece argues that the political landscape in Israel has fundamentally shifted following the October 7 attacks, rendering Benjamin Netanyahu’s traditional strategy of sectoral division obsolete. The author contends that the old left-right ideological divide has been replaced by a new fault line between those who serve in the military and those who do not, particularly highlighting tensions with the ultra-Orthodox community. Netanyahu’s historical method of managing societal anxieties by pitting tribes against one another is described as ineffective in the new reality, where a demand for shared burden and national unity prevails. The article suggests that regardless of election outcomes, the existing political model is broken. It explores potential maneuvers by Netanyahu, such as pivoting to the center or withdrawing temporarily, but emphasizes that the central challenge for Israel’s future is not merely electoral victory. Instead, the critical task is reconstructing a common Israeli identity that transcends sectarian interests. The piece concludes that Israel must evolve from a collection of competing sectors into a cohesive nation greater than the sum of its parts, marking the end of an era defined by divisive political management.