The Trump peace plan as Benjamin Netanyahu’s last chance

Benjamin Netanyahu’s political fate is closely linked to the 20-point plan pushed by Donald Trump, which envisages a possible end to the Gaza war and the release of hostages, writes Richard C. Schneider in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung.

Many Israelis suspect that Netanyahu prolonged the war in order to delay his corruption trial and remain in power. Now he has to present himself as a pragmatic statesman who guarantees Israel’s security and achieves progress.

Elections are due in fall 2026 at the latest, and polls point to a defeat. The release of the hostages would be a decisive political victory for Netanyahu. However, if the plan fails, there is a risk of a massive loss of trust, both among the population and internationally.

At the same time, his dependence on Trump is risky – if Trump’s stance changes, Netanyahu will be isolated. The coming weeks and months will decide whether Netanyahu survives politically – or fails for good.

Source: NZZ from October 7, 2025, full article (paywall)