Majority of Israelis dissatisfied with Netanyahu government, finds poll

An Israeli poll has found that the vast majority of Israelis are dissatisfied with the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and favour a General Election after the ongoing offensive against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip has come to an end.

The poll was conducted online by Israel’s news channel Kan, marking two years since the formation of Israel’s current coalition government. Sixty-four per cent of Israelis are apparently dissatisfied with the performance of Netanyahu’s cabinet, while 46 per cent believe that the Israeli army’s Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar should resign.

The survey found further that 77 per cent of Israeli respondents supported forming an official inquiry committee into the attacks of 7 October by Palestinian resistance group Hamas, as well as the response to it by the Israeli government and armed forces.

Moreover, 70 per cent also reportedly favoured the holding of a General Election after the war in Gaza ends. When that might be remains unclear. Aside from allegations of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, the Netanyahu government is also accused of foiling ceasefire talks persistently.

The poll also asked about the issue of mandatory conscription in the Israeli military. Sixty-eight per cent of respondents supported imposing mandatory service on all Israelis, including ultra-Orthodox Jews. Only 17 per cent favoured maintaining the current system of exemption, suggesting significant ongoing support for the Israeli occupation’s war in Gaza despite the growing dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s government.

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