and this is why it is so hard to beat an incumbent

It is not impossible, but it is often difficult to beat an incumbent. An incumbent has a distinct advantage of havig the system to use almsot at will for his benefit. It isn't impossible, but it takes much more effort to beat an incumbent.

The vaccine campaign in Israel until now has been one example. No matter how lousy the past year has been for so many people, form a health perspective, from a social perspective and form a financial/employment perspective, Netanyahu has a distinct advantage heading towards the elections with the vaccine campaign running very efficiently. Many people will forget all the complaints of the past year and only remember the latest thing which is the vaccines.

And now here comes the Prime Minister today and announces a new financial plan to help those hurt financially by COVID-19, and to give the economy a boost by helping businesses get back on their feet. The stimulus package will include grants of 750nis per adult/parent, plus 500nis per child - fort eh first four children in a family. From the fifth child and more, 300nis per child. This would be in addition to other grants for those unemployed due to Corona and grants for businesses  whose businesses were hurt.

Despite the Attorney General warning Netanyahu that this might be considered election economics and he should consider it carefully before doing so, Netanyahu said he is going to proceed with the plan. Netanyahu compared it to the vaccinations wondering if he should not provide vaccinations to people either because of the upcoming elections.

Right? Wrong? I don't know. But the ability and resources to put together plans like this does give the incumbent a distinct advantage over those trying to unseat him.

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