“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has led a hardline policy in the Gaza conflict, has relatively lower approval ratings from the Israeli public compared to other leaders. According to a survey released by Israel’s Channel 12 on the 18th local time, Netanyahu’s approval rating was recorded at 32%. The support for his party, Likud, led by Netanyahu, also reached only 35% among supporters.
On the other hand, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who opposes the Israeli military rule over Gaza after the conflict, received a 43% approval rating, showing an 11% lead over Netanyahu.
Former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzl Halevi, who commanded in the Gaza conflict, garnered a significant 46% approval rating.
Currently, Netanyahu is resisting pressure for a ceasefire and hostage release negotiations from the United States and the international community, insisting that the attack on the southernmost city of Rafah in Gaza is inevitable for Hamas’s eradication.
Support for right-wing politicians advocating a hardline policy was not high. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (21%) and National Security Advisor Itamar Ben-Gvir (28%), who opposed ceasefire and hostage release negotiations, only received a 20% approval rating for their performance.”