53% of Israelis believe Netanyahu is extending war to stay in power

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Websites
3 Mar 2024 23:57
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A poll conducted by Israeli Channel 13 shows that only 35% of voters think Netanyahu wants to ensure absolute victory.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz attends a press conference in the Kirya military base in "Tel Aviv", occupied Palestine, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 (AP)

A recent survey by Israeli Channel 13 showed that 53% of Israelis believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is actively prolonging the war to stay in power.

When asked what Netanyahu's purpose for extending the Israeli war on Gaza was, 35% of voters said it was to ensure 'absolute victory', while a crushing 53% believed it was for his own political interest.

The survey also explored the possibility of cabinet member Benny Gantz staying in government, to which 35% agreed that he and the Israeli opposition should exit, while 46% voted they should remain in government.

The popular divide

Earlier, captives' families requested an urgent meeting with Netanyahu and the war cabinet to learn what would become of their relatives in Gaza and the future of negotiations with Hamas.

Despite these calls from Israelis, Netanyahu is insistent on "absolute victory" in Gaza. Netanyahu said earlier in February that the objective of the war on Gaza was "absolute victory," and pointed out that this cannot be achieved without defeating the Resistance militarily, announcing that the next stage of the invasion would target the southernmost city of Rafah.

Meanwhile, Aviva Seigel, who was released in November in a prisoner exchange deal imposed by the Palestinian Resistance, said that if the captives are "saved" then "we'll have saved the State of Israel and that will be absolute victory."

However, it has been internally debated that Netanyahu has been extending the war for his benefit.

Israeli media quoted Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, in what it called "harsh" claims of Netanyahu using the war in Gaza as a means to stay in power.

In detail, Israeli media reported that "Lieberman continues to attack Netanyahu, claiming that the continuation of the war serves him politically."

This comes amid internal Israeli divisions over Netanyahu's political and war conduct, and how he is essentially utilizing the war for his own benefit.

The current direction of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the ongoing war on Gaza is "to continue the fighting," Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.

This approach is marred by a decline in popular support, which initially grew following the operation. However, Netanyahu has now become a source of doubt and concern among Israelis, the report said, adding that "Israel is approaching a dangerous reality of stagnation."

Meanwhile, Gantz has been favored internally and internationally. In a previous poll, 15% wanted Netanyahu to remain as Prime Minister, while opposition leader Benny Gantz received support from 23% of respondents.

Meanwhile, the Israeli channel Kan reported that senior officials of several Arab countries have been in direct contact with the Israeli minister, Benny Gantz, regarding the Israeli war on Gaza, reflecting their distrust in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.