Israeli Poll: 66% want Israeli PM Netanyahu to retire amid Gaza conflict fallout

A recent opinion poll by Israeli private Channel 12 reveals that two-thirds of the Israeli public wishes for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to retire from politics and not seek a seventh term.

According to the poll, 66% of respondents, amid ongoing international criticism of Israel’s extensive military campaign in Gaza following an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, expressed a preference for Netanyahu, 74, to step down. Only 27% of those surveyed supported his continuation in office and running for re-election.

Gantz would surpass Netanyahu

Meanwhile, another poll conducted by the Maariv newspaper indicates that Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity Party, would surpass Netanyahu in a prime ministerial race.

Despite calls for early elections, Netanyahu has shown reluctance, suggesting that a vote in Israel is not on the immediate horizon.

The conflict in Gaza has been devastating, resulting in more than 37,700 Palestinian fatalities, predominantly women and children, and over 86,500 injuries, as reported by local health authorities. After over eight months of conflict, significant parts of Gaza lie in ruins, exacerbated by severe shortages of food, water and medical supplies due to an ongoing blockade.

Israel is facing accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice. A recent ruling from the court called for an immediate cessation of Israeli military operations in Rafah, a southern city where over 1 million Palestinians sought refuge before the conflict escalated on May 6.