Less Than Half Of Jewish Israelis Want Netanyahu To Remain PM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures while delivering a speech before lighting a stylised-menorah during the start of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights on December 2, 2018 in Ramat Gan, Israel. Earlier today, police and Israel Securities Authority recommended indicting Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, for bribery and other corruption charges. Image by getty images

By The Scribe December 10, 2018

According to the latest monthly update of the Peace Index of the Israel Democracy Institute and Tel Aviv University, just 46% of Jewish Israelis named current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as their preferred candidate for the next prime minister.

Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, a former Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, followed closely behind, receiving 39% of the vote.

Additionally, an overwhelming 72% of Israelis indicated that they see the government as corrupt and 76% of Jewish Israelis are critical of government’s dealings with the situation on the Gaza border.

Although early elections could be called, the next Israeli elections must be held by November 5, 2019.

Despite being mired in scandal, Netanyahu has so far succeeded in maintaining his political power. In addition to serving as Prime Minister, Netanyahu currently serves as Defense Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Aliyah and Integration and Minister of Health.

Have something to say about Netanyahu or Israeli politics? Email us.

Musings and findings from the editors of Scribe, the Forward’s curated contributor network.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO