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Time said Netanyahu’s legacy may also poison international attitudes, citing the “staggering human toll in Gaza” and actions in Lebanon.
By United with Israel Staff
Time magazine on Wednesday named Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, offering a mixed assessment that pairs recognition of Israel’s military achievements with criticism of their broader impact.
In its profile, Time wrote that Netanyahu “once faced the political wasteland” after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, which it described as “the worst security failure in his country’s history,” adding that “the political comeback he then engineered may have exceeded Trump’s own.”
The magazine pointed to Israel’s recent battlefield successes, citing “Israel’s devastation of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure” and “crippling strikes alongside the U.S. on Iran’s nuclear program in the 12-Day War,” which it said “boosted his standing with the Israeli public.”
At the same time, Time argued that “this same legacy may also poison international attitudes toward his country,” pointing to “the staggering human toll in Gaza” and “another incursion into Lebanon,” and claiming these developments have “eroded support among younger Americans.”
However, the profile offers limited context for the security realities driving Israel’s actions, including the October 7 attacks and ongoing threats from Iran and its regional proxies.
While emphasizing criticism, the magazine also acknowledges that “Washington remains Israel’s indispensable security partner,” underscoring continued strategic alignment between the two countries.
Ultimately, Time framed Netanyahu’s leadership around an unresolved tension, writing that “the actions that saved him politically will also define—and complicate—his legacy.”
Netanyahu’s inclusion alongside global leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping reflects his central role in shaping current geopolitical developments, even as debate over those actions continues.
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