Tel Aviv — On March 13, 2025, a growing sentiment among Israelis has placed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under intense scrutiny. Recent surveys, including one from the Israel Democracy Institute, reveal that approximately 70 percent of the public believes Netanyahu should resign, either immediately or after the ongoing Gaza conflict concludes.

This figure reflects a deep dissatisfaction with his leadership, rooted in several key issues that have unfolded since the devastating events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

The Israel Democracy Institute’s survey, released earlier this week, found that 87 percent of respondents believe Netanyahu should accept responsibility for the security failures that allowed the October 7 attack to occur—the deadliest single assault in Israel’s history.

Of those surveyed, 48% call for his immediate resignation, while 24.5% suggest he step down once the war ends. This widespread attribution of blame stems from the perception that Netanyahu, who has led Israel longer than any other prime minister, failed to prevent the intelligence and military lapses that left the nation vulnerable.

Netanyahu’s tenure has been marked by polarizing decisions, and his handling of the subsequent war in Gaza has only deepened public discontent. The conflict, now in its 17th month, has resulted in over 48,200 deaths in Gaza, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry, and displaced most of its population.

While Netanyahu has maintained that his goal is the total destruction of Hamas, critics argue that his refusal to pivot toward a broader consensus has alienated a majority of Israelis. In the 2022 election, his coalition secured just 48.4 percent of the vote, yet he has governed without seeking to bridge the gap with the opposition or the public’s center.

Political analyst Ori Goldberg notes that Netanyahu’s insistence on maintaining his far-right coalition—despite its unpopularity—has fueled the resignation calls. The coalition, described as the most right-wing in Israel’s history, includes figures like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who has threatened to collapse the government if a permanent ceasefire is agreed upon.

This dynamic has left Netanyahu in a precarious position: ending the war risks losing his coalition, while continuing it further erodes public support. A separate poll by The Times of Israel indicates that if elections were held today, his bloc would fall to 48 seats, with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett outpolling him as a preferred leader.

Beyond the war, Netanyahu’s leadership style has drawn criticism for prioritizing personal and political survival over national unity. His ongoing corruption trial, now in a critical phase, and his 2023 attempt to overhaul Israel’s judiciary—widely seen as an effort to weaken democratic checks—linger in the public’s memory. These issues compound the perception that he is out of touch with the majority. Even among coalition voters, 75% reportedly believe he should resign, a striking indicator of his diminishing support base.

The ceasefire deal ratified in January 2025, which paused the fighting after 15 months, has also spotlighted Netanyahu’s disconnect. While many Israelis credit U.S. President Donald Trump for brokering the agreement, Netanyahu ranks low in public approval for its execution.

His repeated assertions that the ceasefire is temporary—and that Israel retains the right to resume fighting—contrast with the public’s growing fatigue and desire for a lasting resolution. Posts on X reflect this frustration, with users noting that over 70 percent of Israelis want him gone, a sentiment echoed across political divides.

Netanyahu’s response has been to double down, resisting calls for a state commission of inquiry into October 7, which 75% of Israelis support. He argues that such an investigation must wait until the war’s end, a stance critics see as an attempt to delay accountability. Meanwhile, the resignations of key military figures, like General Yaron Finkelman, have intensified pressure for a reckoning—one that many believe should include the prime minister.

As Israel navigates this turbulent period, the question remains whether Netanyahu can weather the storm.

With 70% of the public turning against him, his leadership appears increasingly untenable. For now, he clings to power, ignoring the majority’s call for change—a gamble that may determine not just his fate, but Israel’s future.

#NetanyahuResign #IsraelPolitics #GazaConflict #October7

Tags: Israel Democracy Institute, The Times of Israel, Haaretz, BBC News