Breaking News - Charismatic ex-commando shakes up Israeli politics

[NewsCaster]

Millionaire Naftali Bennett, who is bitterly opposed to a Palestinian state, is set to propel his party into a key position during upcoming elections. NBC's John Ray reports.By John Ray, Correspondent, NBC NewsTEL AVIV, Israel -- Something very curious is happening at the top of Israeli politics.

Benyamin Netanyahu -- who has flown high as a hawk -- is in danger of looking a little dovish.

It’s not that the prime minister, who seeks and will almost certainly win re-election on Tuesday, has transformed himself into a peacenik. On the contrary; his campaign ads feature an intimidating cast of Israel’s nasty neighbors Hamas, Hezbollah and doesn't forget Iran. The message -- that only strong-man Netanyahu can be trusted to defend the nation.

The problem is that Netanyahu is being outflanked on the even harder right, which means that after the elections, he will feel pressure to become more hardline on issues such as Palestinian statehood.

NBCNews