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Tough talk plays well, but Netanyahu can't afford actual fighting

Diplomacy and security are Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strongest suits, but escalation right before the election could hurt him.
A Palestinian reacts next to a fire during a protest against the U.S. President Donald Trumpís Middle East peace plan, in Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank February 6, 2020. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC21VE98476D
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised the public a live special announcement on the afternoon of Feb. 6. He built up suspense for a dramatic address but when the security situation deteriorated, he was forced him to shelve his big announcement. It is thought that what Netanyahu planned to say had something to do with the annexation of some small part of West Bank territories even before the March election, or perhaps warming relations with some Arab state or another, surely intended to seize control of the diplomatic and security agenda before the upcoming election.

Netanyahu’s strategy is to inundate voters daily with headlines of major diplomatic and security advances and minimize focus on his indictment for bribery. At the same time, he is plowing across his Likud base with at least two election rallies per night. On Wednesday, he was in Herzliya and Petah Tikva. On Thursday, he was in Ramle and Hadera. The gatherings were packed. Likud supporters have tied their fate with Netanyahu, giving him the tailwind and political safety net he needs.

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