In a normal time, in a normal country, Benjamin Netanyahu would be a political giant.

He is already the second-longest serving prime minister in Israel’s history. Next week, when the country goes to the polls, he is likely to win a third spell in office. He has presided over an economic renaissance in Israel, during which the country has become a byword for high-tech flair. At a time when the world economy has been in turmoil, Israel has kept growing strongly.

Not a single Israeli has been killed by suicide bombing during Mr Netanyahu’s most recent period as prime minister, from 2009-2012 – compared with an average of more than 100 a year during the first years of the millennium. Israel has avoided major military engagements. The recent bombing of Gaza was (by Israeli standards) a relatively limited engagement.