article_snippet: (CNN)You may have heard that Israeli politics is extremely complex.
article_snippet: But one of the most important forces at play there is actually rather straightforward: When Israelis feel safe and strong Israelis tend to support moderate parties.
article_snippet: When Israelis feel vulnerable Israelis move to the right.
article_snippet: Understand that, and you will understand Israel -- and why President Barack Obama may have inadvertently given Benjamin Netanyahu a helping hand.
article_snippet: This reality helps explain how Benjamin Netanyahu and Benjamin Netanyahu rightist Likud party pulled off an upset victory this week, despite opinion polls showing his rightist Likud party trailing the main opposition Zionist Union heading into Tuesday's election.
article_snippet: And Benjamin Netanyahu is a skilled, articulate and shrewd politician.
article_snippet: And Benjamin Netanyahu handling of the recent spat with Benjamin Netanyahu only added to the problem.
article_snippet: Will Benjamin Netanyahu win seal
article_snippet: 5 questions about Benjamin Netanyahu's apparent victory .
article_snippet: The worry over security extends beyond a nuclear deal with Iran to include the other key foreign policy issue -- the possibility of a Palestinian state.
article_snippet: A majority of Israelis still support the creation of two states, one for Israelis and another for Palestinians.
article_snippet: And despite the last-minute statements from Netanyahu dismissing the idea, it is important to remember that polls have consistently shown Israelis continue to support the establishment of a Palestinian state, as long as Israel's security can be assured.
article_snippet: The trouble is that right now, many Israelis don't believe many Israelis can preserve many Israelis security with a Palestinian state just a few miles from many Israelis major cities, not least because previous territorial withdrawals -- from Gaza and from southern Lebanon -- have simply created launch pads for attacks against Israel.
article_snippet: So when rightist leaders such as Netanyahu say Israelis will not be safe with a Palestinian state, voters are inclined to believe voters.
highlights_snippet: Benjamin Netanyahu secured re-election in Israeli election on Tuesday .
  
highlights_snippet: Frida Ghitis: Israeli sense of security key to understanding how Israeli vote .