The lack of support for Netanyahu dovetailed with other polls published since the disastrous October 7 attacks, in which Hamas terrorists stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking over 240 people hostage.
The Israel Democracy Institute survey, a monthly gauge of Israeli sentiment on current events, also found drooping levels of optimism for the country’s future security and democratic character, reversing a two-month trend, with war cabinet minister Benny Gantz coming up as the leading name to helm the country following the war.
In the poll, 56% of those questioned said continuing the military offensive was the best way to recover the hostages, while 24% thought a swap deal including the release of thousands more Palestinian prisoners from Israel’s jails would be best.
The survey asked respondents whether Israel should shift the war in Gaza into lower gear as the army appears set to do, though it framed the move as coming in light of reported American demands. Put that way, some two-thirds of Israelis disagreed with such action. READ MORE