In Netanyahu stronghold, signs of fraying loyalty emerge on eve of election

In the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona, a traditional stronghold for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, voters are showing signs of waning political loyalty ahead of an upcoming election. Long considered a reliable base for the party, the city’s political landscape is shifting as residents express decreased certainty in their support.

The city, which serves as a key commercial hub in northern Israel, has faced significant disruption in recent years, including a temporary evacuation. These local challenges are occurring against the backdrop of a national election cycle, highlighting a potential erosion of the Prime Minister's established support base in regions that have historically been considered secure.