Israeli public support for Gaza war dips amid political turmoil

Israeli public support for the ongoing war in Gaza has significantly waned as fighting resumed on March 19, amid political turmoil and a lack of clear backing from the population.

The situation contrasts sharply with the national unity that followed the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas, when Israelis rallied behind military action, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

At the time, nearly 1,200 people were killed, and around 250 taken hostage, which unified the public in the drive to punish Hamas. However, 17 months later, many Israelis, even some on the right, have shifted their focus to securing the release of hostages still in Gaza, with a growing belief that a negotiated settlement may be the only path to their return.

The release of two dozen Israeli hostages over the past two months, many in poor condition, has amplified concerns over the fate of the remaining 59 hostages. Despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s firm stance on defeating Hamas, a March 9 poll by the Israel Democracy Institute revealed that 73 per cent of Israelis support negotiating with Hamas for an end to the fighting and the release of hostages. Remarkably, 56 per cent of right-wing Israelis and 62 per cent of Netanyahu’s Likud party voters backed such a deal.

This shift in public sentiment could affect Israel’s war effort, which relies heavily on volunteer reservists. Former Israeli General Amos Yadlin noted that while many Israelis still want Hamas destroyed, the priority for most is securing the hostages’ release. "This may reduce the motivation of the reservists to go to another round," Yadlin said.

The situation is further complicated by Netanyahu’s political maneuvering, as he revives contentious judicial reforms and navigates alliances with far-right parties. Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized Netanyahu, stating, “Our heroic fighters need a prime minister that they can believe is interested only in the security of the country and the fate of the hostages.”

While public support for full-scale war remains low, Netanyahu has aligned with far-right allies like Itamar Ben-Gvir to strengthen his political position ahead of key votes. Analysts fear that this division could have profound long-term consequences for Israel.

By Vafa Guliyeva