Poll: 53% of Israelis Believe It’s Time to End Netanyahu's Political Career

Translation by SadaNews - After more than 18 years in power, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing increasing controversy over the future of his political career. A public opinion poll conducted by the newspaper "Maariv" in cooperation with "Lazar Research" headed by Dr. Menahem Lazar and the online platform "Panel4All", showed that a majority of Israelis believe it is time for Netanyahu to put an end to his long tenure in leading Israel, despite his support base within the ruling coalition still firmly backing him.

Netanyahu, who is 76 years old, began his political career in 1988 as a member of the Knesset for the Likud party and has held the position of Prime Minister in six different governments over three terms. His first term was from 1996 to 1999, his second from 2009 to 2021, and his current third term began in December 2022 and is still ongoing.

According to the poll results as translated by SadaNews, 53% of Israelis believe it is time to end Netanyahu's political role, with 30% considering that he is harming the country, while 23% believe he has made achievements alongside mistakes, and it is time to "end it with dignity." Conversely, 38% believe that the time has not yet come to end his career, and that he should run again in the next elections, while 9% did not express a clear position.

Opinions vary sharply between the coalition and opposition camps. Among the ruling coalition voters, an overwhelming majority of 81% support Netanyahu's continued position, compared to 10% who believe he should end his career "with dignity." Among opposition voters, a significant majority of 60% believe that Netanyahu is harming the country and should leave, while 28% feel he has done enough and it is time to depart "with dignity."

These results reveal a deep divide within Israeli society between those who see Netanyahu as a burden on Tel Aviv and believe he should resign, and those who view him as an indispensable leader at this current stage.