Consider This from NPR

Episode: Netanyahu's Political Future and What the 'BibiSitters' Want From Him
Date: October 26, 2025
Host: Sasha Pfeiffer
Guest: Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent for The Economist and author of The Turbulent Life and Times of Benjamin Netanyahu

Episode Overview

This episode explores the uncertain future of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ("Bibi") amid domestic discontent, international scrutiny, and a fragile ceasefire with Hamas. NPR’s Sasha Pfeiffer speaks with journalist Anshel Pfeffer about Netanyahu’s political standing, the pressures from both his coalition and the U.S. administration, and what these challenges mean for Israel’s direction—and Netanyahu’s own survival as prime minister.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Netanyahu’s Waning Authority and Isolation (00:00 - 02:38)

• At a recent United Nations address, over 50 country delegates walked out in protest of Netanyahu, highlighting his growing international isolation.
• Domestically, Netanyahu faces significant disapproval:
  • Majority of Israelis (over 50%) believe he should resign.
  • Far-right allies oppose the ceasefire and push for aggressive policies in Gaza.
• Netanyahu is caught between international condemnation, public dissent, and internal political pressures.

Quote:
"Recent polling shows that more than half of Israelis believe Netanyahu should resign. Meanwhile, his main allies on the far right strongly oppose the ceasefire and ... push for resettlement or annexation of the Gaza Strip."
— Sasha Pfeiffer (00:47)

2. The ‘BibiSitters’: U.S. Pressure and Oversight (02:38 - 03:37)

• The U.S. administration, led by President Trump and Vice President Vance, is closely supervising the ceasefire.
• Israeli press dubs visiting U.S. officials the “BibiSitters,” a play on Netanyahu’s nickname, indicating the perception that the U.S. is effectively keeping Netanyahu in check.
• This intense oversight signals that Netanyahu’s traditional power over security and diplomacy is being undermined by external actors.

Quote:
"We've seen the procession of very senior administration officials ... on babysitting duty ... making sure that they don't break out from the ceasefire constraints."
— Anshel Pfeffer (04:41)

3. Netanyahu ‘In Office but Not in Power’ (03:37 - 06:35)

• Pfeffer distinguishes between Netanyahu’s official role and his actual influence:
  • "In office" but lacking real power due to dependence on radical coalition partners and U.S. intervention.
  • Even foreign policy and security, formerly uncontested domains for Netanyahu, are now under U.S. supervision.

Quote:
"Talking about Netanyahu currently as being in power is inaccurate. He's in office ... but he’s not really in power in the sense that he has power over what's happening ... He needs [coalition partners] to remain in office ... that’s one of the reasons why he prolonged the war."
— Anshel Pfeffer (03:37)

• Pfeffer notes that American generals are now dictating Israeli military actions in Gaza, further reducing Netanyahu's agency.

4. The Gaza Question and Netanyahu’s Political Survival (06:35 - 07:16)

• The future of Gaza remains unresolved, with Netanyahu historically maintaining the status quo rather than seeking solutions.
• His stance against a Palestinian state continues, but this approach may be losing resonance as his lack of control becomes more apparent to the Israeli public.

Quote:
"Netanyahu’s political survival has always been based on not really changing the status quo ... it’s gradually clearer to Israelis that he’s not in control ... and I think that will continue to erode his support."
— Anshel Pfeffer (06:58)

5. Prolonging War for Political Gain (07:16 - 08:24)

• Pfeiffer presses Pfeffer on the accusation that Netanyahu has prolonged the war in Gaza for personal political benefit.
• Pfeffer suggests this is part of Netanyahu’s political nature—framing personal interest as national interest, sometimes to a degree extraordinary even among politicians.

Quote:
"Netanyahu ... has an incredible knack of finding what he thinks is Israel's national interest to be exactly what seems to be also in his own political interest ... But I think Netanyahu takes that very natural political instinct to a level that very few other politicians succeed in doing."
— Anshel Pfeffer (07:36)

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• UN Walkout and International Isolation
  "Before [Netanyahu] could even begin speaking delegates from more than fifty countries left the room in protest over the war in Gaza, others applauded and cheered them as they walked out."
  — Sasha Pfeiffer (00:00)

• On Netanyahu’s Diminished Authority
  "He chairs the cabinet and he has various responsibilities but he's not really in power ... his share of power is constantly shrinking."
  — Anshel Pfeffer (05:52)

• "BibiSitters" and U.S. Control
  "Senior American officers have been sent here to represent the administration ... very closely monitoring the Israeli operations and making sure that they don't break out from the ceasefire constraints."
  — Anshel Pfeffer (04:41)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – Netanyahu’s UN speech and global reaction
• 00:47 – Israeli polling and far-right coalition positions
• 02:38 – ‘BibiSitters’: U.S. pressure to maintain the ceasefire
• 03:37 – Is Netanyahu still in power? Pfeffer’s analysis
• 04:21 – Trump’s speech in the Israeli Knesset and its impact
• 05:46 – The shrinking scope of Netanyahu’s influence
• 06:35 – The unresolved future of Gaza and status quo politics
• 07:16 – Did Netanyahu prolong the war for survival?
• 08:24 – Conclusion with thanks to guest Anshel Pfeffer

Summary

This episode paints a picture of a prime minister whose grip on power is extremely tenuous. Benjamin Netanyahu remains in office, but key decisions regarding Israel’s future—especially on Gaza—are now subject to U.S. supervision and coalition infighting. As public support erodes and international isolation grows, Netanyahu's longstanding strategy of maintaining the status quo is coming under increasing strain. The “BibiSitters” moniker for U.S. officials underscores just how much power has shifted away from Netanyahu, raising significant questions about his political survival and Israel’s direction in the post-war era.