A new poll released by the Hebrew-language Channel 2 news site on Monday reveals that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s approval rating has fallen as a “casualty” in the faltering Operation Protective Edge.
The poll, conducted by Shiluv Millward Brown and iPanel for the news source, found in the last four days Netanyahu’s support has taken a sharp nose-dive.
A mere 38% of Israelis responded that they are satisfied with Netanyahu, as opposed to 50% who are dissatisfied. Just four days earlier, Netanyahu’s support stood at 55%.
The sudden dive corresponds to a period during which four-year-old Daniel Tragerman hy”d was murdered by mortar fire in his Kibbutz Nahal Oz home last Friday, possibly contributing to a feeling of government neglect in providing security to its citizens.
The poll adds that three weeks ago Netanyahu’s support was at 63%; towards the beginning of the operation early last month when the IDF began its ground entry to Gaza that it later withdrew, that support was at a whopping 82%.
A University of Haifa poll late last month likewise found that Netanyahu’s support had spiked at the start of the operation, showing that 65% were “very satisfied” with Netanyahu’s handling of the operation, 20% were “satisfied” and only 10% “not satisfied.”
However, that support has dipped as Netanyahu continues to be unable to take decisive action against Hamas in an operation that started July 8, while making numerous ceasefire agreements that Hamas repeatedly breaks, and “softening” ministers to Israeli concessions.
Ironically, US President Barack Obama told the New York Times earlier this month in an interview that Netanyahu had too much public support, and that he needed internal pressure – not to defend Israel, but rather to make land concessions to the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Disapproval over an abandonment of the south
A cause for the growing disapproval was touched on in the Channel 2 poll, which found that 68% of Israelis feel the government’s treatment of residents of the Gaza Belt region has been bad, as opposed to a mere 24% who feel enough has been done to secure them.
Around 80% of Gaza Belt residents have been forced to flee their homes for over a month and a half during the operation; the parents of four-year-old Daniel Tragerman announced Monday that they would be permanently leaving their home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz after their son’s murder.
Another point of contention is the school year, which is set to begin next week. Education Minister Shai Piron (Yesh Atid) has insisted the school year will start as scheduled, but several local regional councils arerefusing the government’s orders in light of the security situation, accusing it of ignoring their reality.
Only 18% of respondents to the poll agreed with opening the school year as normal throughout Israel, with 63% saying only the southern region should remain closed, and 15% saying as long as the security situation continues the school year should not begin anywhere in Israel.
There has been growing unrest against the government for not defining clearer goals in the operation to take decisive action and remove the security threat from Gaza, an unrest expressed recently by protesters, Former IDF Chief Rabbi Avichai Ronski, ex-MK Dr. Michael Ben-Ari and many others.
Barak Seener, an Associate fellow at Britain’s Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies, told Arutz Sheva on Monday that Israel is “choosing not to win” the war in Gaza, saying the Jewish state “should not subject itself to norms and procedures that no military of any western liberal democracy would ever consider.”
Joseph Rapaport Said:
Read the posts [including mine] everybody on the pundit is repetitive and boring.
I’m sorry to be repetitive and boring but the only solution to ISRAEL’S problem, and that starts and ends with their leadership, is MANHIGUT YEHUDIT. When those in power are following true Jewish values there will be no room for blunders made to accommodate outside pressure. When the leadership if firmly fixed on what is best for Israel then we will see policies carried out with conviction and positive results.
bernard ross Said:
Use that word again and I will send my great Terradoctyles to hunt you down.
What should Israel do? I am not concerned about Ovomit or the EU in fact I dont give a damn about world opinion,I care about the Israelis. What are their options?
yamit82 Said:
A song for you Sugar and don’t forget to listen to the lyrics: http://youtu.be/vFlq0mvTRB0
yamit82 Said:
I am thinking that hamas is concerned about preserving its interests in the creeping takeover of the PA and western plans. Abbas is going to control all the big money coming in to rehabilitate gaza. How would that affect hamas, will abbas be in charge of doling out cash to hamas? Will 3rd party(Iran) external funding to hamas be allowed?
I am very interested in your perspective and assessment under a couple of scenarios; not what you or I would like to see happen but what you think would be the most likely unfolding situation and outcome in these 2 scenarios:
1- Israel goes in and deposes hamas
2- The truce continues and the “rehabilitation begins.
Bibi and Yaalon are now hanging on a political ledge having the ceasefire without the vote of the security cabinet when one half apparently where against it.
Laura Said:
BB is afraid of almost everyone.
@ honeybee:
They are getting a good glimpse what Islam is about and realize what Israelis have been fighting against over the years. Crazies.
@ Laura:
Laura, not afraid, I believe leery of both. Do you blame him.
Forget what Ovomit says, watch what he does.
@ mar55:
Many years back there sprouted what at the time was called the “CHUTZPAN”, urchins who were crafty, mean, pseudo cute, insolent, untrustworthy, pushy, abusive, thieving. Those disgraces grew up into what you see today passing as leaders. Disgraces, people users, insolent, liars, cheats, sold out garbage.
@ yamit82:
@ yamit82:
This is beyond believe that Israel has capitulated to Hamas. The Israelis need to
depose these gang of cowardly criminals. It is obscene that after so many years of sacrifice to bring Israel to where it is today to give in to this band who are selling out.
I’m sorry yamit82 and SHmuel. You were right. Netanyahu has lost the international respect and never had Obama’s respect. To be afraid of the vermin at the WH without thinking the need for a larger territory for all the European Jews who will have nowhere to go with the rampant antisemitism in Europe. It is irresponsible. He should be indicted together with Livni and the pack of rats who have been advising him.
Laura: Netanyahu is a cowardly Lion who allows his wife to henpeck him. The Mosad should send her a lover who will distract her obsession with BB. It is the kind of woman who seeks power by manipulating the powerful. Such a man (mouse) cannot be in charge of governing Israel or much less defending her from the enemy.
My only hope is Hashem intervenes in this almost hopeless situation.
@ Laura:
Netanyahu is at all times afraid. His wife tells him who is the one he has to be afraid at any given time.
Bibi’s still afraid of obama and the EU.
rongrand Said:
I noticed a definite change in attitudes toward Israel after the beheadings carried out by isis. Hamas lost its P.C. glamor and public pro- Hamas demonstrations ceased.
@ yamit82:
All aid to the Palestinians should cease. Time to cut the cord. They need to remove Hamas from their ranks.
You have to believe that somewhere along the Egyptian border there is a warehouse, the entrance to Gaza tunnels.
It’s the warehouse where goods come in and nothing leaves, except into Gaza and distributed to the various tunnels. The IDF needs to locate this and blow it into the universe.
Listen friend trust me Americans support Israel and you realize this admin. is two faced regarding Israel. Say one thing and do another. We need to get through this next election and pray to G-d the conservatives pull off a victory, for our sake and yours.
@ yamit82:
More on Adam Weinstein and guns: http://gawker.com/its-really-hard-to-be-a-good-guy-with-a-gun-1588660306
@ yamit82:
Now I understand your anger toward BB and his Govt.
SHmuel HaLevi 2 Said:
This is what I thought, great minds SHmuel!!!!!!!!
Islamic Jihad official says Israel is “eager to reach an agreement”
despite its “arrogance,” noting that senior Israeli officials have been involved in indirect talks.
Report: PA Says Israel Agreed to a Long-term Ceasefire
Arab officials say that a truce lasting at least a month has been accepted by Israel; Israel yet to respond to report.
Hamas says Gaza Strip truce agreed with Israel, claims ‘victory’
16:22
Egypt, PA to announce truce, peace proposals
Later tonight, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority are planning to simultaneously announce both a ceasefire and a diplomatic initiative by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to establish a Palestinian state.
Senior Palestinian officials tell The Times of Israel that according to the joint Palestinian-Egyptian plan, the Palestinian leadership will convene in Ramallah between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. this evening to introduce Abbas’s framework to “put an end to the occupation” and establish a Palestinian state.
At the same time, Cairo will call for a permanent ceasefire based on the agreements reached after Operation Pillar of Defense in November 2012. According to the Egyptian proposal, the Palestinian factions’ demand for a seaport and airport will be discussed in a month’s time.
— Avi Issacharoff
http://www.timesofisrael.com/day-50-hamas-confirms-talk-of-new-truce-rockets-from-lebanon-fired-at-galilee-idf-hits-back/#ixzz3BVdFK4aM
CEASEFIRE TO BE ANNOUNCED IN ANOTHER HOUR AND HALF AT 6 pm ISRAEL TIME. ISRAEL HAS YET TO REACT IN PUBLIC STATEMENTS.
ABBAS TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE AT 7PM ISRAEL TIME OUTLINING HIS OUT OF THE BOX PLAN TO INTERNATIONALIZE OUR CONFLICT.
SPECULATION WILL BE CARROT AND STICK APPROACH. SECURITY COUNCIL RECOGNITION OF PALIS STATE AND ISRAEL WITHDRAWAL FROM ALL OF Y&S OR HE WILL TO TO THE INCC IN THE HAGUE AND HAVE ISRAEL AND BB INDICTED AS A WAR CRIMINAL.
@ rongrand:
Ron, the IDF could take down Hamas but it would take time a lot of the countries treasure and leave us taking full responsibility for almost 2 million more Arabs, the Jew haters around the world uniting even more strongly against Israel.
Israel for almost ten years has allowed Hamas to literally build a fortified underground city. They have thousands of entrances and exists from most residential buildings in Gaza. The tunnels are all interconnecting. Hamas has booby trapped all buildings with exits and entrances to those tunnels. They are equipped with thousands of RPG’s and can sniper from all buildings in all directions. Because of the density of Gaza buildings and populations Tanks are vulnerable, can’t maneuver or bring their firepower to bear on specific targets. Urban fighting is an infantries nightmare especially when restrained by International laws and norms.
That said there are tactical ways of overcoming those problems and should have been done from the outset but we missed the boat and after two moths of stalemate and losing 64 soldiers there is little to no support for a land based invasion of Gaza and Hamas wil survive to fight another day and Israel with BB will be pushed back to the 1949 armistice lines if not the partition lines.
We are paying the price for weak, cowardly, even corrupt perfidious leaders and it looks like we will concede to what Hamas and the International community dictates, To our shame!!!
Top US general in Israel for post-ceasefire talks
Deal is close and BB is looking for a way to spin our defeat as a positive politically. He sucks!!!!!
@ yamit82:
Yamit, I haven’t followed or know much about Israel politics but, I have a lot of respect for the men and women of the IDF. G-d bless them.
I am sure if allowed to complete their mission (to remove Hamas from Gaza), it would be done. They must be removed.
How long will it take for the Palestinians to recognize they are and have been used by Hamas and who care less about them.
Handing over Gaza to the Pals was one major mistake.
Will don Netanyahu’s ratings return when he surrenders?
Knowing the feebleness of our folk here, that is possible but not a sure thing. The consequences of such troupe retaining power will be irreversible, terminal.
HAMAS with a deep sea port and an airport including radar, etc, will be a formidable power representing Iran set up right in our most sensitive areas.
Abandoning our natural gas fields in the Med and at least Ashdod port and Ben Gurion Airport to wanton dangers.
Not to mention our nuclear research facilities.
Added to that, Abbas gaining control of our shale oil fields and water in Y & S would lead to our national demise.
Agreeing to a loss?
Netanyahu Considering Imminent Hamas Ceasefire
Earlier on Monday, Israeli security officials said that the government is set to accept the long-term ceasefire for an undefined period, which is to last no less than a month.
Likewise Islamic Jihad official Khaled al-Battash said in a press conference that a long-term ceasefire would be coming into effect “within hours.” However, Hamas said it would not accept the ceasefire, demanding the conditions of sea and airports be fulfilled first.
The previous Egyptian truce proposal was countered by a Palestinian Arab amended version that included terrorist releases and numerous other hidden caveats.
Israel’s leadership has come under criticism by some for negotiating with the Hamas terrorist organization without taking decisive military action against it, and in general for not entering Operation Protective Edge with clearly defined goals.
Direct Hit in Ashkelon, 50 Hospitalized for Light Wounds, Shock
The rocket crashed through the roof of a home, just missing the residents, and the blast shook nearby buildings, lightly hurting dozens.
First Publish: 8/26/2014, 7:10 AM
Former IDF Chief Rabbi Slams Unclear Military, Political Leadership
Observation: The big unknown for ceasefire polls
Dr. Aaron Lerner 25 August 2014
With PM Netanyahu’s rating plummeting in the Panels Politics for Israel
Television Channel 2 to Good 38% Bad 50%, the question is if the ratings
would recover after a ceasefire goes into place and the public shifts
attention to other matters.
But its not so simple.
A return to “quiet for quiet” deal would mean Israel allowing Hamas to
manufacture weapons undisturbed.
And this time, once an agreement is in place, Hamas would have every
interest to ridicule Israel by giving as much publicity as possible to their
missile producing activity.
So the question is: what impact would Hamas videos flaunting their “quiet
for quiet” weapons production activity have on PM Netanyahu’s ratings?
It could not be a worse time to bring down an Israeli Gov’t. The situation is complex. However, I agree with Shmuel. There is just so much solidarity we can show Bibi before we rip out our beards. If Netanyahu was blowing it, we would probably see Bennet and others bolt. So far Bennet is still in there. Bennet needs to think about his future and his country if he believes Bibi is unable to handle this admittedly complex conundrum. I believe Bennet would bolt immediately if he felt that way and would not wait.
Personally, I agree with Shmuel, Bibi has got to go ASAP. It has to be done at the right time and this is not a good time, but…it may not matter. There is still a chance he will come around. 30% chance.
Anyone not brainwashed or on the payroll of the people that control Netanyahu etal knows that he is programmed to harm us. Forget his face making on TV, his pompous assed speeches, promises, cardboard props with red marker lines. He was and is a fraud, underhanded item.
When the people pitched the Netanyahu’s out after a short stint on his first try to harm, he should have never been allowed to return.
We warned as many others did that giving such element control over military operations was asking for a sure defeat. NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LEAD TO VICTORY. For crying out loud, he released hundreds of Islamic murderers, consistently lied about construction, destroyed hundreds of Jewish homes, farms, fields, etc. Was a major part of “disengagement”, etc, then how could anyone believe the liar would attack what he himself helped to set up?
He must be removed from office a true free election must be held to elect and new government system and people.
This is not surprising. I’m an American Jew and I’m baffled by the apparent equivocation of the government and the fact that so many have fled the south and are scared to return. That sounds like a rousing victory for Hamas. Is it permissible for Hamas to depopulate the south of the country? I don’t understand why the government was so quick to pull the ground troups out. I would not want to live in the south. I’m skeptical that all the tunnels have been found, or that new ones will not be built. Is Netanyahu buckling under to Obama? What is the strategy? I think the people see things very clearly, and they are not fooled one bit by this non-victory, not to mention the loss of almost 70 of Israel’s best young men and the costs of many millions of shekels. Now American universities are canceling study abroad programs in Israel. What’s next? Afraid of world opinion? You can’t win back what you don’t have. There’s a permanent segment of western opinion which will hate Israel no matter what, you can’t convince them that what you’re doing is just. Just go ahead and do the job.