Two Films and a Star Helped Defeat Netanyahu in Israel

The anti-Netanyahu Change bloc secured a narrow lead in Tuesday’s Israeli elections, a result that local media decision desks attribute in part to cultural momentum. The center-right Yashar party, led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, is projected to hold 52 seats. Netanyahu’s Likud bloc trails with 50. This one-seat margin gives the Change bloc the mandate to form a government, provided it secures the remaining seats needed for a 61-member Knesset majority.

Avi Nesher’s film Our Loves reached 150,000 admissions in Israel two weeks before the vote. The number exceeds the estimated 50,000 votes required for a single parliamentary seat. Nesher stated that he does not support the incumbent government and predicted its members would dislike the movie. The film depicts the chaos of the October 7 attacks, focusing on security failures and an absent army. Nesher, known for previous war films, has framed his work as a patriotic effort to help the nation find its way out of crisis.

Eisenkot’s personal loss strengthens the film’s political resonance. The candidate lost his son fighting in Gaza. A military character in the movie, who is close to Eisenkot’s age, reinforces this connection. Netanyahu’s own son has recently resided in Miami. Nesher told The Hollywood Reporter that he would not vote for the current government, a sentiment echoed in Israeli press coverage.

The second cultural factor is the documentary NAZA, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. The film features 24 IDF whistleblowers discussing the conduct of the war in Gaza. Although NAZA has not been released in Israeli theaters, it has dominated domestic press coverage since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival last month. The documentary has mainstreamed debate about the war’s management.

The Netanyahu government attempted to counter the film’s impact by suggesting they might strip the directors of their citizenship. No known legal basis supports that move. The action appeared to solidify Netanyahu’s base but may have alienated undecided voters who value openness to criticism. Critics of the incumbent argued the response showed a reluctance to accept scrutiny of the war effort.

Gal Gadot, the actress known for Wonder Woman, added to the momentum on election day. She flew from Los Angeles to Israel to vote. Gadot posted a video on Instagram urging citizens to the polls, noting that approximately 80% of eligible voters participated. She identified her preference for the Change bloc. She later appeared on the Israeli comedy show Eretz Nehederet while polls were still open.

In the sketch, Gadot rode in an Uber and discussed the experience of being an Israeli living abroad. When the driver asked if it was difficult, she replied that she constantly explains the media disparity between the two places. She said that what people see in the international media differs from what they see at home, and vice versa. The segment aired as vote counting continued across the country.