Majority of Israelis call for Netanyahu to exit politics

A recent television poll revealed that approximately two-thirds of Israelis believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should retire from politics and refrain from seeking reelection, Caliber.Az reports citing Israeli media.

This sentiment follows a tense week in Israeli politics, particularly after the High Court's landmark decision regarding the military draft of ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students.

The survey solidified former prime minister Naftali Bennett's position as a leading figure in a potential new right-wing coalition. It also underscored widespread Israeli backing for conscripting Haredi students and for conducting an investigation into the events of October 7.

According to the poll, 66% of respondents expressed that Netanyahu should not run in the next elections, while 27% believed he should, and 7% were undecided. Among voters aligned with parties in Netanyahu's right-religious bloc, 37% opposed his reelection bid, although 53% supported his continued tenure as Israel's longest-serving leader, as reported by Channel 12.

Recent polls indicated that a faction led by four of Netanyahu's former proteges—Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beytenu, Gideon Sa’ar of New Hope, and former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen—could significantly impact upcoming elections.

In the Channel 12 survey, Bennett emerged as the favoured leader to head a potential right-wing coalition, garnering support from 30% of respondents and 50% of opposition voters. Lieberman and Cohen followed with 10% each, while Sa’ar received 4% support. A portion of respondents either did not express a preference or favoured none of the options.

Bennett, who withdrew from politics in 2022 after his diverse coalition collapsed, has hinted at a comeback, buoyed by recent polls suggesting he is viewed more favourably than Netanyahu for the job.

Regarding the October 7 events, 85% of respondents supported the formation of a state commission of inquiry to investigate the failures preceding Hamas's actions, while 6% opposed it and 9% were undecided. Even among Netanyahu supporters, 76% favoured an investigation, with 11% against and 12% undecided.

The High Court of Justice has set a deadline of July 28 for the government to explain its delay in establishing a state commission of inquiry. The government has cited ongoing military operations as a reason for postponing the probe, despite calls for accountability for the failures leading up to the October 7 attack and subsequent conflict in Gaza.