Israeli journalist: Netanyahu's popularity has fallen, but the election outcome is far from settled
Ben-Dror Yemini, a senior journalist at Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, says Benjamin Netanyahu has not been popular since the October 7, 2023 attacks. He doubts that a military operation in the West Bank before the election would help anyone politically.
Israel is heading toward a parliamentary election while violence in the occupied West Bank is rising again. Against that backdrop, Ben-Dror Yemini, a senior journalist at the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, gave his assessment on France 24's Spotlight programme. He discussed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's prospects, the limits of military escalation and the link between national security and voter support.
A turning point
Yemini argues that Netanyahu's standing changed decisively after the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023. In his words, Israeli public opinion has shifted enormously, and the vote is not just another contest for seats in parliament but a wider judgment on Netanyahu's leadership.
A West Bank operation
The discussion took place after a deadly attack near Hebron and amid the prospect of further Israeli military operations in the West Bank. Yemini doubts those operations will happen, because politically they would not help anybody. In his view, escalation would bring no meaningful political advantage.
The role of the bloc
He also points out that in Israel's parliamentary system the result depends less on the prime minister's personal popularity than on whether his political bloc can form a governing majority. Polls show Netanyahu's popularity declining, but Yemini notes that past elections show he has overcome very unfavourable polling before.
Trump's endorsement
Yemini also addressed US President Donald Trump's endorsement of Netanyahu. He recalled Netanyahu's own claim that every previous American president opposed him and that he won regardless. Now, Yemini said, someone is recommending that Netanyahu win, so perhaps this is the time he will be defeated. He added his opinion that Netanyahu's defeat would be for the benefit of Israel.
