Poll: Most Israelis rate Netanyahu poorly, Smotrich and Ben-Gvir highly unpopular

A poll released by Israel’s Channel 12 exposes collapsing public confidence in Netanyahu government as election looms, with the majority of Israelis holding a negative view of the prime minister and several cabinet ministers, Israeli media reported.

The poll found that 58 percent of respondents rated Netanyahu negatively, compared with 38 percent who viewed him positively, The Times of Israel reported.

Defence minister Israel Katz received a 61 percent negative rating. In comparison, national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich were viewed negatively by 63 percent and 69 percent of respondents, respectively.

The poll also found that most Israelis credit US President Donald Trump, rather than the Israeli government, for the return of hostages from Gaza. 

Fifty-eight percent said Trump was primarily responsible, compared with 28 percent who credited Netanyahu's government.

Respondents overwhelmingly (66 percent) opposed the coalition's proposed Basic Law that would define Torah study as a foundational value of the state, a measure widely seen as protecting ultra-Orthodox men from military conscription. Only 21 percent expressed support.