70% of Israeli settlers do not trust Netanyahu government
The majority of Israelis think Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government places political interests above the interests of the Israeli occupation and its settlers.
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Israelis block a highway between occupied al-Quds and Tel Aviv in a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, demanding the release of the captives held in the Gaza Strip, Wednesday, March 26, 2025 (AP)
A new poll by the Israeli Channel 12 has revealed that 70% of Israelis do not trust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Additionally, 50% of respondents oppose the recent judicial reforms.
According to the survey, 66% of Israeli settlers believe Netanyahu’s government prioritizes religious and coalition-affiliated groups over the general public.
Another poll published on Friday by the Israeli newspaper Maariv indicated that 70% of Israelis think Netanyahu's government places political interests above the interests of the Israeli occupation and its settlers.
The Maariv poll further showed that 66% of Israelis are dissatisfied with Netanyahu's performance as prime minister, with 48% expressing complete dissatisfaction. Only 31% said they were satisfied, while 3% had no opinion.
A separate survey conducted by the Facto S.R. Institute for Israel Hayom found that nearly 70% of Israelis view the return of all Israeli captives in Gaza as the most important national priority.
Captives families protest against government
Amid growing discontent, thousands of Israeli settlers and families of captives continue to protest against Netanyahu's government. Last year, they demanded an urgent meeting with him and the war cabinet to discuss their relatives’ fate in Gaza. Some protesters also staged a sit-in outside the Israeli Ministry of Security in Tel Aviv, calling for Netanyahu’s government to step down.
The al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, released a video on Monday featuring two Israeli prisoners held in Gaza. The footage, shared on the group's Telegram account, was titled: "Tell Them, Ohad!"
In the video, the two captives identified themselves only by numbers, stating, "I am prisoner number 21," and "I am prisoner number 22."
They insisted that Hamas had not coerced them into speaking, saying, "We want you to know that Hamas did not ask us to say this. This video clip is not intended for psychological warfare. We are the ones who asked and begged to be heard. Please hear our voices."
Describing their living conditions, they recounted, "Before the latest ceasefire deal on January 19, when the border crossings were closed throughout the war, there was almost no food. The situation was difficult and there was no safe place. Living conditions were difficult." However, after the ceasefire deal led to the reopening of crossings, they said Hamas fighters took care of them, providing food and improved living conditions.
'We stared death in the face'
“Just as the end approached, we were dealt a severe blow. On March 18, the Israeli government decided to attack Gaza from the air. That attack could have killed us," one captive said.
The two captives warned that the Israeli occupation's renewed military assault could lead to their deaths. "Know that an attack like the one that happened yesterday was the closest thing to my death and the death of those with me. We saw death before our eyes."
"Now, after the attack and the closure of the crossings, things have returned to the way they were. Food is running out, conditions have become difficult, and there is no safe place," one captive added.
They then addressed the Israeli government, saying, "Enough with the government silencing our voices. Enough, enough, enough. The prisoners who were with us before [and have now been] released, give them a chance to speak and express their opinions. Stop silencing their voices."
Forty former Israeli captives in Gaza and 250 relatives of captives held in the Palestinian enclave have signed a letter urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to halt its renewed aggression and resume negotiations with Hamas to secure the release of the remaining 59 captives.