Most Israelis prefer single-phase transactions to return to hostages and end the Gaza war
The survey found that 74% of respondents returned such a deal, while 12% opposed the agreement that would end the war.
According to Channel 12 polls released Friday night, most Israelis support a comprehensive agreement that will return all hostages and fallen soldiers in one phase in exchange for the war in Gaza.
The survey was conducted on Channel 12 Ulpan Shishi The plan found that 74% of respondents returned such a deal, while 12% opposed the agreement that would end the war. 8% said support for the phased transactions the government is currently considering, while 6% said they don’t know.
Channel 12 reported that among the alliance voters, 60% of voters expressed support for a full deal, while 22% opposed to any agreement. Among opposition voters, support rose to 89%, with only 2% opposition.
When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked for an installment deal, 49% of respondents said they believed the reasons were political, including 22% of coalition voters. 36% attribute Netanyahu’s position to security considerations, including 16% of opposition voters. According to Channel 12, 15% said they didn’t know.
Assess the public’s perception of leadership handling war
The poll also evaluates the public’s perception of leaders’ handling of war. Channel 12 poll found that 55% of respondents rated Netanyahu’s performance as bad, while 41% gave him a positive rating.
Demonstrators protested against the Israeli government and were released outside the military headquarters in Tel Aviv on June 7, 2025 and were released in the Gaza Strip.
Defense Minister Katz received a negative review of 52%, with 37% giving positive views on his performance. By contrast, Lieutenant Chief of Staff of the IDF. Eyal Zamir received a positive rating from 62% of respondents, while 24% of respondents negatively commented on his performance.
Channel 12 also asked the biggest question in the next election that would affect the voting. The cost of living was the most concerned issue of 27% of respondents, followed by the October 7 attacks and the war in Gaza, accounting for 26%. 14% pointed to sharing burdens and equality in the ultra-orthodox enlistment, while 13% were seen as a key election issue.
How does Rising Lion action affect people’s opinions?
Only 8% of respondents said the recent attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, known as Operation Rising Lion, will affect their votes. Channel 12 notes that Iran is not seen as a key election issue even among the coalition voters.
The survey also explores public sentiment about Netanyahu’s political future. Channel 12 found that 55% of respondents believed Netanyahu should negotiate a plea agreement in his ongoing corruption trial and withdraw from political life, including 27% of coalition voters. 34% said he should participate in the next election, while 11% said they didn’t know.
Channel 12 also asked opposition voters who they think should lead the group to challenge Netanyahu.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett led by 35%, followed by National Unification Party head Benny Gantz at 13%, Yair Lapid and Avigdor Liberman at 12%, former National Unification member Gadi Eisenkot at 11%, and Yair Golan at 6%.
