Majority of Likud Voters Align with Smotrich, Survey Indicates
In a recent survey, right-wing voters in Israel have shown strong support for continuing the war against Hamas without any ceasefire or deal that would allow Hamas to retain power. The survey, conducted using a digital system and a panel of 514 adult respondents, found that 43% of Likud voters support this stance, while 85% of Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit voters agreed with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's position in the dispute.
Finance Minister Smotrich and other far-right cabinet members have been vocal in their insistence on Hamas' complete elimination, rejecting any ceasefire that might leave Hamas in control. They argue that ending the war prematurely would strengthen Hamas, delay the release of hostages, and risk repeating the October 7 attacks. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir similarly accused protestors of weakening Israel and said the strike supports Hamas.
The survey did not specify the objectives of the fighting that Smotrich argues should be achieved without pauses. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's position is that the current plan should be advanced and the fighting should continue in the absence of a comprehensive deal.
It is important to note that the statistical sampling error of the survey is ±4.4%, with a 95% confidence level. This indicates that if the survey were repeated multiple times under identical conditions, the results would fall within this range of error 95% of the time.
In conclusion, the survey results suggest that right-wing voters in Israel are currently strongly supportive of a hardline approach focused on defeating Hamas, aligning with the stance taken by Finance Minister Smotrich and other far-right cabinet members. The survey did not show majority support for this stance among Likud voters, but it did find significant support within the Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit voter base. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to be a contentious issue, with differing opinions among political leaders and the general public.
Politics surrounding the ongoing war-and-conflicts between Israel and Hamas remain divisive, as a recent survey has revealed strong support among right-wing voters for a hardline approach, echoing the stance of Finance Minister Smotrich and other far-right cabinet members who advocate for Hamas' complete elimination. In general-news, this conflict continues to be a contentious issue, with differing opinions evident among political leaders and the public.
