Benjamin Netanyahu, the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history, is facing a domestic crisis of confidence that may finally prove insurmountable. A recent poll conducted by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Agam Labs reveals a staggering collapse in public support, with Netanyahu’s approval ratings plummeting from 40.5% in March to just 29.4% in June. This decline reflects a broader disillusionment with a leader who once branded himself as the ultimate guarantor of Israeli security.
The data suggests a profound disconnect between the Prime Minister’s rhetoric and the lived reality of the Israeli electorate. While Netanyahu continues to claim significant military milestones and the neutralization of existential threats, nearly 73% of respondents expressed flat disbelief in these pronouncements. Furthermore, a majority of 56.4% now characterize the current government’s military performance as a failure, signaling that the 'security first' platform of the Likud party is rapidly eroding.
Despite this dissatisfaction with Netanyahu himself, the Israeli public appears to be moving in a more hawkish direction regarding regional threats. Nearly half of the population supports a large-scale military offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon, even if such an escalation leads to a direct confrontation with the United States. This indicates that while the public may have lost faith in their leader, their appetite for decisive action against northern threats remains high, complicating the Biden administration's efforts at regional de-escalation.
On the international stage, Netanyahu’s traditional alliances are also showing signs of strain. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, previously a staunch ally, has notably withheld an unequivocal endorsement for Netanyahu’s next campaign, opting instead to 'wait and see' other candidates. As the Israeli press begins to describe this period as the 'dangerous twilight' of Netanyahu’s rule, the Prime Minister remains defiant, recently reaffirming his intention to contest the next general election despite the mounting headwinds.