Is it about the man or the nation? The International Criminal Court’s indictment of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has sparked global debate, highlighting just how much Israel and its longest-serving leader have lost international sympathy since the Hamas-led attacks on innocent civilians on October 7, 2023. As we examine the merits of the war crimes case, we also ask: are the reactions to Netanyahu a reflection on one man, or on a nation that has charted a controversial course in recent years? 

Netanyahu has doubled down against rivals abroad and at home, where he is already on trial for corruption. Now, he faces fresh turmoil over allegations of leaked or falsified intelligence seemingly aimed at shifting blame for the 101 hostages still unaccounted for in Gaza. Is the focus on his leadership, or does it expose a deeper shift within Israeli society? 

As Israel moves further to the right, we also explore the international dimension. With the return of Donald Trump to the White House, can Israel sustain its current trajectory? Or could it revert to the pre-October 7 strategy of the Abraham Accords, which prioritised regional normalisation over addressing the plight of Palestinians? 

Produced by François Picard, Rebecca Gnignati, Guillaume Gougeon and Ilayda Habip.