Israeli Public Opinion Polls: Opinion of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
2014 - Present)
Note: We are presenting raw data. When available, we provide some or all of the crosstabs (i.e., breakdowns by various categories such as party ID). To analyze the data, we encourage users to read the entire study and the methodology used. Results and reliability can be affected by such things as sample size, question wording, and question order. Responses may also be influenced by context and timing; for example, if the survey is conducted during a war.
See also Attitudes Toward Democracy
Israeli Opinion Regarding Elections, Prime Minister
Political Corruption
Should Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resign over the failures of October 7? (Midgam, July 2024)
Yes, immediately |
44%
|
Yes, when the war ends |
28%
|
Do you approve or disapprove of the way Benjamin Netanyahu is handling his job as leader? (% Approve) (Gallup, 2017)
2018 |
51%
|
2017 |
52%
|
2016 |
49%
|
2015 |
32%
|
2014 |
49%
|
2013 |
39%
|
2012 |
35%
|
2011 |
55%
|
2010 |
49%
|
2009 |
50%
|
Benjamin Netanyahu's Approval Ratings throughout Operation Protective Edge.(Shiluv Milward Brown, August 2014)
Netanyahu's approval rating throughout Operation Protective Edge. |
82%
|
63%
|
55%
|
38%
|
Which of the following is most suitable/appropriate to be the prime minister of Israel?
Dialogue/Haaretz
(July 2013) |
||
Bibi Netanyahu |
39.8%
|
56%
|
Shelley Yachimovich |
11.3%
|
15%
|
Yair Lapid |
7.2%
|
7%
|
Shaul Mofaz |
4.5%
|
--
|
Avigdor Lieberman |
4.2%
|
--
|
Don't know |
28%
|
22%
|
Do you believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu is committed to the two-state solution?
(Dialogue/Haaretz, July 26, 2013)
Yes, Committed |
34%
|
No, Not Committed |
59%
|
Don't know |
7%
|
Are you satisfied or not satisfied with the performance of Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister?
(Dialogue/Haaretz, July 26, 2013)
Satisfied |
45%
|
Not Satisfied |
45%
|
Don't know |
10%
|
Was Netanyahu and Mofaz's move to establish a national unity government justified in terms of the interest of the State?
(TNS for Maariv, May 8, 2012)
Justified |
50.9%
|
Unjustified |
34.8%
|
Don't know |
14.3%
|
Which candidate is most suited to hold the job of Prime Minister?
(Ha'aretz, May 3, 2012)
Bibi Netanyahu |
48%
|
Shelly Yacimovich |
15%
|
Avigdor Lieberman |
9%
|
Shaul Mofaz |
6%
|
Is Prime Minister Netanyahu a "messianic" who can't be trusted to deal wisely with the Iranian nuclear issue?
(Ha'aretz, May 3, 2012)
Agree |
25%
|
Disagree |
51%
|
To what extent are Netanyahu government policies benefiting or damaging Israel's national interests in each of the following areas?
(Peace Index, January 31, 2012)
1. Israel's standing in the international arena
General Public
|
Jews
|
Arabs
|
|
Very Damaging |
19.9%
|
14.4%
|
20.0%
|
Somewhat Damaging |
12.1%
|
12.7%
|
8.9%
|
In the Middle |
31.9%
|
34.4%
|
17.8%
|
Somewhat Beneficial |
19.4%
|
20.8%
|
11.1%
|
Very Beneficial |
13.6%
|
14.0%
|
11.1%
|
No Opinion |
3.1%
|
3.6%
|
|
2. Israel's security situation
General Public
|
Jews
|
Arabs
|
|
Very Damaging |
9.5%
|
4.3%
|
38.9%
|
Somewhat Damaging |
9.7%
|
7.3%
|
23.3%
|
In the Middle |
22.8%
|
25.4%
|
7.8%
|
Somewhat Beneficial |
32.3%
|
37.2%
|
4.4%
|
Very Beneficial |
23.8%
|
23.5%
|
25.6%
|
No Opinion |
1.8%
|
2.2%
|
|
Recently Germany, France, Portugal, and Britain condemned the Israeli government’s decision to renew construction in the territories as well as Israel's inability to prevent price-tag actions. Foreign Minister Lieberman reacted sharply, saying the condemnation made those countries “irrelevant” to the process of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In contrast, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that these are friendly countries, and that “in dealing with them, we not only have to be right but also smart.” With which of these two positions do you tend to agree more? (Peace Index, December 28, 2011)
General Public
|
Jews
|
Arabs
|
|
with Avigdor Lieberman's position |
31.9%
|
36.0%
|
8.9%
|
With Ehud Barak's position |
55.7%
|
56.4%
|
52.2%
|
Don't know/refuse to answer |
12.3%
|
7.7%
|
38.9
|
How do you evaluate the performance of Avigdor (Yvet) Lieberman as foreign minister? (Peace Index, December 28, 2011)
General Public
|
Jews
|
Arabs
|
|
Very good |
9.7%
|
11.2%
|
1.1%
|
Moderately good |
32.8%
|
37.2%
|
7.8%
|
Moderately bad |
24.3%
|
21.8%
|
38.9%
|
Very bad |
25.1%
|
21.3%
|
46.7%
|
Don't know/refuse to answer |
8.0%
|
8.5%
|
5.5%
|
And the performance of Ehud Barak as defense minister? (Peace Index, December 28, 2011)
General Public
|
Jews
|
Arabs
|
|
Very good |
12.0%
|
13.9%
|
1.1%
|
Moderately good |
39.2%
|
43.7%
|
13.3%
|
Moderately bad |
24.8%
|
23.5%
|
32.2%
|
Very bad |
16.1%
|
10.9%
|
45.6%
|
Don't know/refuse to answer |
8.0%
|
8.0%
|
7.8%
|
Percentage who gave a good grade for the performance of: (Dahaf Poll, September 28, 2011)
adult Israelis (including Arab Israelis)
|
|
Prime Minister Netanyahu |
54%
|
Foreign Minister Liberman |
45%
|
Finance Minister Steinmentz |
37%
|
Defense Minister Barak |
37%
|
67% say the PM himself doesn't believe peace can be reached with the Palestinians.
Grade for Netanyahu's UN speech: (Dahaf Poll, September 28, 2011)
adult Israelis (including Arab Israelis)
|
|
Good |
76%
|
Bad |
8%
|
It emerged from Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech to the Knesset that Israel will insist on retaining the large settlement blocs in the West Bank and would be prepared to evacuate the rest of the settlements in the West Bank and Jordan Valley. What is your view of Netanyahu's position on this matter? (Peace Index, May 2011)
General Public
|
Israeli Jews
|
Israeli Arabs
|
|
This position is not sufficient to advance the peace process |
23.6%
|
17.0%
|
61.0%
|
The position is appropriate |
31.8%
|
33.1%
|
24.5%
|
The position is too conciliatory and dangerous to Israel |
36.5%
|
41.3%
|
8.9%
|
Don't know/Refused to answer |
8.0%
|
8.5%
|
5.6%
|
Did Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's latest visit to the United States, including his meeting with President Obama and his speeches to the AIPAC convention and to the U.S. Congress, contribute to or damage Israel's interests from the following standpoints? (Peace Index, May 2011)
The relations between the two leaders:
General Public
|
Israeli Jews
|
Israeli Arabs
|
|
Contributed |
44.1%
|
42.7%
|
52.2%
|
Damaged |
21.6%
|
17.7%
|
43.3%
|
Did not change |
26.8%
|
31.6%
|
|
Don't know/Refused to answer |
7.4%
|
8.0%
|
4.4%
|
U.S. support for Israeli policy:
General Public
|
Israeli Jews
|
Israeli Arabs
|
|
Contributed |
55.9%
|
53.8%
|
67.8%
|
Damaged |
13.9%
|
11.2%
|
28.9%
|
Did not change |
21.9%
|
25.7%
|
-
|
Don't know/Refused to answer |
8.4%
|
9.3%
|
3.3%
|
The changes of peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians:
General Public
|
Israeli Jews
|
Israeli Arabs
|
|
Contributed |
22.6%
|
20.6%
|
34.4%
|
Damaged |
29.1%
|
23.8%
|
58.9%
|
Did not change |
38.1%
|
44.7%
|
-
|
Don't know/Refused to answer |
10.2%
|
10.8%
|
6.7%
|
The possibility that the Palestinians will give up their plan to declare an independent state in September:
General Public
|
Israeli Jews
|
Israeli Arabs
|
|
Contributed |
17.9%
|
17.5%
|
20.0%
|
Damaged |
34.3%
|
27.8%
|
71.1%
|
Did not change |
38.3%
|
45.1%
|
-
|
Don't know/Refused to answer |
9.5%
|
9.6%
|
8.9%
|
The chances that the Palestinians will have a majority in the UN if they unilaterally declare a state and request UN recognition for it:
General Public
|
Israeli Jews
|
Israeli Arabs
|
|
Contributed |
29.6%
|
29.3%
|
31.1%
|
Damaged |
25.7%
|
20.5%
|
55.6%
|
Did not change |
32.2%
|
37.8%
|
-
|
Don't know/Refused to answer |
12.5%
|
12.3%
|
13.3%
|
How would you describe the position that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu presented during his recent visit to the United States? (Peace Index, May 2011)
General Public
|
Israeli Jews
|
Israeli Arabs
|
|
Too tough |
28.8%
|
20.9%
|
73.3%
|
Balanced |
55.0%
|
61.4%
|
18.9%
|
Too soft |
7.8%
|
9.0%
|
1.1%
|
Don't know/Refused to answer |
8.4%
|
8.7%
|
6.7%
|
Do you support or oppose a deal according to which hundreds of terrorists would be released in exchange for Gilad Shalit? (Dahaf, May 2011)
Support |
58%
|
Oppose |
29%
|
Is the Netanyahu Government doing enough to bring about the release of Gilad Shalit? (Dahaf, May 2011)
Yes |
18%
|
No |
66%
|
Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with Prime Minister Netanyahu's performance? (Pechter Middle East Polls, June 2010)*
Satisfied |
53%
|
Dissatisfied |
40%
|
Are you satisfied with how Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has handled matters relating to Arab-Israeli affairs since coming into office? (Maagar Mohot, January 2010)*
Satisfied |
29%
|
Not satisfied |
60%
|
Other replies/don't know |
11%
|
Which of the following do you think are Binyamin Netanyahu's true intentions in his decision to freeze construction in Judea and Samaria? (Maagar Mohot, January 2010)*
The freeze is the first step to evacuation of communities in Judea and Samaria |
24%
|
The freeze is only a tactical move so that after 10 months it is possible to renew settlement construction in Judea and Samaria despite international pressure |
64%
|
Other replies/don't know |
12%
|
Which of the following do you think were Binyamin Netanyahu's true intentions when he said that he is prepared to negotiate with Syria without preconditions? (Maagar Mohot, January 2010)*
That Netanyahu is willing to withdraw from the Golan within the framework of an agreement with Syria |
19%
|
That Netanyahu doesn't really have any intention to withdraw from the Golan Heights but it is important to him to appear as someone who, in any case, engages in peace talks |
75%
|
Other replies/don't know |
6%
|
Which of the following do you think were Binyamin Netanyahu's true intentions when in his Bar Ilan University address he called for the establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian state, while emphasizing that international agreements and international forces cannot really ensure that such a Palestinian state would be demilitarized? (Maagar Mohot, January 2010)*
That Netanyahu accepts the idea of an independent Palestinian state |
27%
|
That Netanyahu understands that it is impossible to guarantee that an independent Palestinian state would be demilitarized |
57%
|
Other replies/don't know |
10%
|
Will Binyamin Netanyahu's decision to impose the freeze increase or reduce pressure on Israel to make additional concessions? (Maagar Mohot, December 2009)*
Reduce |
22%
|
Increase |
56%
|
No effect on the pressure |
17%
|
Other replies/don't know |
5%
|
Do you think the freeze will actually last only ten months or will Netanyahu continue the freeze indefinitely? (Maagar Mohot, December 2009)*
Just ten months |
33%
|
Continue indefinitely |
40%
|
Other replies/don't know |
27%
|
*Survey of Israeli Jews