Majority of Israelis dissatisfied with Netanyahu's government: Poll

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
30 Dec 2024 08:42
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The poll found that 77% of respondents supported forming an official inquiry committee into the events of October 7, and 70% favored holding general elections after the war concludes.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in occupied al-Quds, Dec. 9, 2024 (AP Photo, Pool, File)

An Israeli public opinion poll reveals widespread dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, with the majority supporting the resignation of the Israeli military's chief of staff and the Shin Bet head.

A public opinion poll published on Sunday indicated that 64% of Israelis are dissatisfied with the performance of Netanyahu's cabinet and that the premier's Likud party has experienced a slight decline in support compared to the previous poll.

The survey, conducted online by Kan Channel to mark two years since the formation of the Israeli government, revealed that 46% believe that the Israeli military's Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar should resign from their positions.

A couple of weeks ago, Israeli media reported that Halevi is expected to step down by the end of February 2025.

Regarding mandatory conscription in the Israeli military, 68% supported imposing mandatory service on all Israelis, including the ultra-Orthodox community. Meanwhile, 17% favored maintaining the current system, which exempts the ultra-Orthodox.

On the potential dismissal of the government's legal advisor, Gali Baharav-Miara, 38% of respondents supported her removal, while 41% opposed it.

When asked about opening a criminal investigation against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife, Sara Netanyahu, on suspicion of witness harassment following revelations aired in the Uvda program, 54% of respondents said "yes," 23% said "no," and 23% were uncertain.

Baharav-Miara has ordered an investigation into Sara over allegations of harassment toward political opponents and a key witness in the prime minister’s corruption trial.

Furthermore, the poll found that 77% of respondents supported forming an official inquiry committee into the events of October 7, and 70% favored holding general elections after the war concludes.

Earlier in December, Netanyahu's ruling coalition downed a proposal in the Knesset to establish an official inquiry committee into "Israel's" October 7 failures.

Following the coalition's rejection of the proposal, the Supreme Court, the Israeli occupation's highest judicial authority, ordered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to inform it within 60 days whether it intends to discuss forming an official inquiry committee.

Israeli media said that Netanyahu is advocating for the creation of a private committee of inquiry into the failures "to prevent the formation of an official state commission of inquiry."