Most Israelis don't like Netanyahu but support the war in Gaza – an Israeli academic explains what drives public opinion

Eight months after Israel invaded Gaza, some critics say the Israeli military has not achieved any of its goals Destruction of Hamas and rescue of all remaining 133 hostages Hamas holds.

But two thirds of Israelis proceed to support their military aggressive approach in Gaza – including Restriction of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.

While many Israelis support the military's war in Gaza, most Israelis have also lost trust within the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and would love to see recent political leadership.

As someone who has been involved in Israeli politics for nearly three many yearsI imagine it can be crucial to know what elements contribute to the collective mindset of Israelis as a way to explain these seemingly contradictory dynamics and views.

A well-recognized feeling of persecution

Hamas militants killed an estimated 1,200 people in Israel on October 7, 2023 and took 240 hostages back to Gaza.

The brutal killings of October 7 and the destruction of entire communities in southern Israel left Israelis feeling shocked, vulnerable and unsure. The attacks reminded Israelis that the country is before them Existential threats that, of their opinion, should be eliminated in every possible way.

Jews have long been persecuted, from Biblical times to the Holocaust during World War II. Some scholars check with this sense of constant, looming persecution as “Masada Syndrome.” Masada, an ancient fortress in southern Israel, was the location of the traditional Kingdom of Israel fought a final battle against the Roman army in 73 AD. Masada was eventually destroyed and all Jewish residents committed suicide to avoid enslavement by the Romans. Afterwards, Jews lost their political independence for nearly 2,000 years until Israel was founded in 1948.

The history of Masada continues to be taught and remembered in Israel as a relentless reminder that Jewish people can never fully depend on the mercy or help of other countries – and that Jewish identity and independence are all the time in danger of persecution. For an extended time, the Israeli forces held their induction ceremonies on the summit of Masada, which can be a well-liked tourist site.

A ceremonial text used throughout the Jewish Passover states: “In every single generation they rise against us to destroy us.”

The Masada syndrome has turn into less pronounced amongst most Israelis in recent many years. This is partly since the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been second intifadaa violent rebellion of the Palestinians within the early 2000s. Israel also signed peace treaties with Arabic countries including, lately, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco.

The October 7 attacks caused widespread national trauma and displaced many Israelis to adopt the Masada mentality again.

Alone again

The global response to October 7 is one other necessary factor that has caused many Israelis to fall back into old feelings of persecution and the perceived need for self-defense.

While the United States, United Kingdom and France expressed strong support for Israel shortly after October 7, other countrieslike Russia and China condemn Hamas' attacks.

United Nations experts were also needed about five months to acknowledge systematic sexual violence on October 7.

The widespread rejection of Israel has further isolated Israelis War crimesbecause the International Criminal Court This was recently alleged in a request for arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Israel Defense Minister Yoav GallantSome Israelis have also questioned the accuracy of the data about Number of civilian deaths within the Gaza Strip.

Most Israelis view these genocide allegations for instance of the world's anti-Israel bias and a brand new type of anti-Semitism.

Netanyahu has exploited these feelings of persecution to each legitimize Israel's war in Gaza Downplay criticism his own leadership.

Netanyahu's downfall

Since the start of the Gaza war, polls have consistently reflected the declining support of Israelis for the conservative political parties that form Netanyahu's ruling coalition.

A poll from May 2024 shows that if elections were held today, Netanyahu's party would lose almost 40% of the seats This is the case within the Israeli parliament. The same poll also found that only 35 percent of Israelis think Netanyahu is suitable to be prime minister.

In January, only 15% of Israelis thought Netanyahu should remain in office.

Several aspects explain Israelis' general support for Netanyahu's policies in Gaza, but additionally their growing distrust of him as a politician and leader.

First, Most Israelis blame Netanyahu's government for October 7They see Netanyahu as primarily chargeable for Israel's failure over the past decade to strengthen Hamas's military capabilities, including the development of underground tunnels within the Gaza Strip.

There are also harmful issues that occurred before October seventh. Netanyahu tried undermine the independence of the country's judiciary And Legislation passed in 2023 that the powers of the courts to review laws and government policies were restricted. This triggered widespread protests in Israel.

Israelis also fear that Netanyahu's approach to the war – and his inability to conclude a hostage-taking deal or conform to some form of ceasefire – might be compromised by his desire to stay in power. Netanyahu faces several corruption allegations desires to delay these criminal proceedings – be Defense team said that the war leaves him little time to attend the trials. Netanyahu also desires to appease his right-wing radical supporters who want the war to proceed.

Israelis' concerns about Netanyahu in recent months have manifested themselves in a single Outbreak of mass demonstrations in various Israeli cities. These protesters, including the hostages' families, are demanding that Netanyahu reach an agreement that releases the remaining hostages – even when it means agreeing to a long-term ceasefire.

However, it just isn’t clear whether these protesters represent nearly all of public opinion – and it can be crucial to not confuse this protest with the will of most Israelis for Hamas's defeat.

Israel's dilemma

Israel's future path is unclear and can be influenced by various aspects. Increasing public pressure on Netanyahu could ultimately force him to just accept responsibility for his failure to stop the Oct. 7 attack and resign.

The increasing intensity of Israeli demonstrations demanding his resignation show the increasing possibility of such a scenario.

At the identical time, growing international pressure on Israel to finish its war in Gaza could prompt Netanyahu to achieve this have more conflicts with right-wing extremist members his coalition, which ultimately resulted within the collapse of his government and his downfall.

Finally, the potential of the war escalating right into a larger regional conflict would dramatically alter the present dynamics within the region in ways which might be difficult to predict. Nevertheless, this development could force Israel to finish the war in Gaza as a way to reply to other emerging military threats.