Is public opinion shifting in Israel over the war?
International criticism and a lack of progress in freeing hostages is piling pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu

As Israel's relations with its international allies grow increasingly strained, Benjamin Netanyahu is also battling to retain public support within his own country for the war against Hamas.
Amid a global outcry over the invasion of Rafah, a recent poll by the Israel Democracy Institute found that 56% of Jewish Israelis thought "reaching a hostage deal with Hamas should be the country’s top national priority", said The Times of Israel, while 37% believed military action should "take precedence".
What the commentators said?
More Israelis are "echoing global calls" for some kind of ceasefire, whether permanent or temporary, said Mat Nashed at Al Jazeera, "but their reasons differ". Few have the "blunt position" of completely deriding the war, but many believe that a ceasefire deal with Hamas is the "best way to save Israeli captives".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Taking a public position against the war "was almost a taboo until just a few weeks ago", said Meron Rapoport in The Guardian. But now the repeated claims by "politicians, generals and commentators" that "only military pressure would bring back the hostages" are looking "more and more like empty words".
There are political reasons for the war to continue, however. Netanyahu is working to "secure both his short-term political survival and his long-term legacy", said Patrick Kingsley in The New York Times, and victory in the war or a deal in which Israel's demands are met is essential to that. But neither the political fight at home nor the one in Gaza is "going according to plan", and recent polls suggest he would "easily lose an election if one were held tomorrow".
The prime minister is also rapidly losing friends abroad, adding to the pressure. Joe Biden's decision to halt some US military aid to Israel has left many Israelis "shocked and dismayed" that the country's most steadfast ally is now at "its limits", said Gideon Rachmann at the Financial Times.
On top of that, Netanyahu has reportedly been "consumed for several weeks by the risk from the International Criminal Court", where warrants for war crimes could be issued, said The Economist. In response, he has "reversed Israeli policies on supplying aid to Gaza", but he appears to have "less and less control over events" and to instead be "guided by the threats and urgings of both his allies and his enemies".
What next?
Although support for the war, at least publicly, appears to still be largely intact amongst Israelis, the loss of the "unstinting public support" of the US is a major blow to Netanyahu, said David Horovitz in The Times of Israel.
In the face of allies' ebbing enthusiasm, the prime minister has responded with "bravado and defiance", said Rachmann, and has said that Israel "will stand alone” if needed.
But the "practical question Israelis are asking right now", said Horovitz, is "for how long Israel is actually capable of doing so".
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Richard Windsor is a freelance writer for The Week Digital. He began his journalism career writing about politics and sport while studying at the University of Southampton. He then worked across various football publications before specialising in cycling for almost nine years, covering major races including the Tour de France and interviewing some of the sport’s top riders. He led Cycling Weekly’s digital platforms as editor for seven of those years, helping to transform the publication into the UK’s largest cycling website. He now works as a freelance writer, editor and consultant.
-
Colleges are canceling affinity graduations amid DEI attacks but students are pressing on
In the Spotlight The commencement at Harvard University was in the news, but other colleges are also taking action
-
When did computer passwords become a thing?
The Explainer People have been racking their brains for good codes for longer than you might think
-
What to know before 'buying the dip'
the explainer Purchasing a stock once it has fallen in value can pay off — or cost you big
-
Elon Musk says he's 'done enough' political spending. What does that really mean?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION The world's richest man predicted he'd do 'a lot less' electoral financing moving forward. Has Washington seen the last of the tech titan?
-
'Organ donation is kindness'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Hurricane season is here. How will Trump's FEMA respond?
Today's Big Question An internal review says the agency is not ready for big storms
-
Hamas frees US hostage in deal sidelining Israel
speed read Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old soldier, was the final living US citizen held by the militant group
-
What does 'conquering' Gaza mean to Israel?
Today's Big Question Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet has approved a plan to displace much of the Palestinian population while seizing and occupying the territory on a long-term basis.
-
Can Trump's team make the MAGA playbook work for Albania's elections?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION The architects of the president's 2024 victory are looking east to extend their populist reach
-
How could Trump ending a VA mortgage program leave veterans on the streets?
Today's Big Question Vets could face foreclosure as a result of the White House's actions
-
Why is Crimea a sticking point between Russia and Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Questions over control of the Black Sea peninsula are stymying the peace process