Israelis trust Netanyahu, oppose Gaza withdrawal

A survey cited by Channel 2 television news this morning shows that Israelis trust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the Gaza conflict, but dislike his latest decisions to withdraw some IDF troops and begin a deescalation of the fighting.

More than half, or 56 percent, of Israelis oppose the IDF’s current withdrawal of some of its troops from Gaza, while 35% support it.

Fully 73% of Israelis believe Israel’s deterrence has been hurt by the operation — perhaps a response to the current withdrawal while rocket fire continues — while just 22% say Israel’s deterrence is up.

While they disagree with his decision to begin pulling troops out of the Strip, a large majority of Israelis nevertheless say they are happy with Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict by a factor of 62% to 29%.