Gaza Conflict: A Divided Public Opinion on Netanyahu's Leadership in Israel
- Gaza
- Israel
- Bibi Netanyahu
- Hostage Deal
- War Leadership
- Tel Aviv
Israel's Conflict: Netanyahu's Gaza Campaign Sparks Internal Divide - Conflict in Gaza Led by Netanyahu Splits Israeli Society
In the heart of the Middle East, the ongoing conflict in Gaza has created a profound divide in public opinion towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership. According to recent reports from the Pew Research Center, Netanyahu is currently viewed unfavorably by a significant margin of 53% to 45% favorable, signifying widespread dissatisfaction not only with Netanyahu, but also with other political leaders, including opposition figures like Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid [1]. This negative sentiment has been consistent since 2024, with unfavorable ratings as high as 58% in 2024 [1].
Regarding the war and its management, there is a considerable level of skepticism about achieving lasting peace and dealing with sensitive issues such as hostage deals and post-war governance in Gaza. Recent polls indicate that only a third of Israelis now support Israeli governance of Gaza following the war, a significant drop from 40% in the spring of 2024, while a minuscule fraction favors Palestinian Authority or international administration [1]. This suggests a lack of clarity on the path forward and strong criticism of the current leadership.
While the cited sources do not offer direct polling numbers on Netanyahu's handling of hostage negotiations, the overarching sentiment of dissatisfaction and skepticism towards his leadership indicates that trust and approval for his decisions — including those regarding hostage releases and wartime strategy — are likely to be low. Many Israelis are disheartened by the lack of progress towards both security and peace, and this frustration is mirrored in Netanyahu's consistently unfavorable ratings [1].
To summarize, a majority of Israelis view Netanyahu's leadership during the Gaza war unfavorably, and while specific figures on his handling of hostage deals are unavailable, the prevailing sentiment leans towards distrust and disappointment in his overall management of the crisis.
[1] Pew Research Center (2024, 2026). "Israeli Public Opinion on Netanyahu's Leadership during the Gaza War." Retrieved from pewresearch.org/middle-east.
- The European Union, being strongly committed to the implementation of the UN Charter, has expressed concern over the ongoing Gaza conflict and the divisions in public opinion about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war leadership.
- In the context of general news and politics, the skepticism surrounding Netanyahu's ability to achieve lasting peace, manage sensitive issues like hostage deals, and govern post-war Gaza, as reflected in the Pew Research Center's findings, raises questions about his leadership competence, including his strategies during the Gaza war and hostage negotiations.
