Majority of Israelis Favor Prisoner Exchange Deal with Hamas
A recent poll by Israel's Channel 12 reveals that 69% of Israelis support a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, while only 20% advocate for the continuation of military operations in the Gaza Strip. This sentiment reflects growing public frustration over the ongoing conflict and the government's handling of the situation. The poll results, published on November 15, indicate that even among supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, only 46% favor a swap deal, suggesting a significant divide within his base regarding the war's direction.
The internal disputes in Israel are intensifying as the nation grapples with the human and economic toll of the conflict, alongside the inability to recover prisoners. Critics from the opposition accuse Netanyahu of stalling negotiations for a prisoner exchange, alleging that he is prolonging the war for political leverage. This situation is compounded by a separate poll from Maariv, which shows a decline in public support for Netanyahu's coalition government, with his Likud party projected to win only 23 seats if elections were held today, down from 24 last week.
Opposition Gains Ground Amidst Declining Support for Netanyahu
The political landscape in Israel appears to be shifting, with the opposition gaining momentum. The Maariv poll suggests that if former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett were to re-enter politics and establish a new party, it could secure 26 seats, significantly altering the current balance of power. This scenario could lead to the opposition camp potentially controlling 66 seats in the Knesset, compared to Netanyahu's coalition, which would drop to 44 seats. Such a shift could have profound implications for Israel's future policies regarding the Gaza conflict and prisoner negotiations.
