According to CNN and Kompas.com, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party erected a massive campaign billboard in central Tel Aviv on August 16, 2026, featuring the faces of prominent critics alongside the Hebrew text, “They want Netanyahu to lose, don’t let them win.” The display targets New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, and Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem ahead of Israel’s national elections scheduled for late October 2026.
Reklame ‘Musuh Netanyahu’ dan Konfrontasi Militer Turki
According to CNN, the ruling Likud party placed the advertisement to rally its base as polls show the party trailing behind political rivals. Just days after the billboard went up, Israeli fighter jets struck the Abu al-Dahar air base in northern Syria, targeting Turkish military personnel and assets that Israel identified as a significant threat, as reported by CNN. Official statements from Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz maintained that the strike was an operational necessity prompted by intelligence detection of Turkish equipment deployments. However, Tom Barrack, the U.S. special envoy for Syria and U.S. ambassador to Turkey, criticized the strike as an aggressive move likely carried out for domestic political gain ahead of the vote, according to CNN.
Ketegangan Diplomatik dan Tanggapan Internasional
The timing of the military action drew swift condemnation from international actors and Israeli opposition figures. According to CNN, the Turkish government dismissed Israel’s operational justification as unaccountable, accusing Netanyahu of pursuing an expansionist policy that destabilizes the region ahead of October’s ballot. In an effort to manage the fallout, Mossad intelligence chief Roman Goffman met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Jordan on Sunday, August 23, 2026, to defuse mounting tensions, based on reporting from the Syrian government news agency cited by CNN. Meanwhile, Kompas.com noted that Mayor Mamdani recently stated Netanyahu should be arrested if he visits New York for the United Nations General Assembly, pointing to the International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued against the Israeli leader for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Netanyahu responded by accusing Mamdani of spreading hatred.
Survei Terbaru Pemilu Israel dan Reaksi Oposisi
According to Channel 12 polling cited by CNN and The Times of Israel, Likud dropped to second place with a projected 21 Knesset seats in a survey conducted on August 20, 2026. The newly formed Yashar party, founded by former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, took the lead with 24 projected seats. The same survey indicated that 44 percent of voters prefer Eisenkot for prime minister compared to 34 percent for Netanyahu, though Israeli citizens vote for political parties rather than directly for the prime minister. Kompas.com reported that Eisenkot’s Yashar party mocked the Likud billboard by releasing a modified version on social media featuring the message, “They want the IDF to collapse, don’t let Netanyahu win.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the upcoming Israeli election?
According to CNN, the election is scheduled for late October 2026.
/data/photo/2026/08/17/6a82f9fd23789.jpeg "Photo: kompas.com")
Who is featured on the Likud campaign billboard in Tel Aviv?
According to Kompas.com and CNN, the billboard displays New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, and Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem.
Which party leads in recent pre-election polls?
According to Channel 12 data cited by CNN, the Yashar party led by Gadi Eisenkot is projected to win 24 seats, placing ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party at 21 seats.
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