Israelis Trust Netanyahu Over Media on Pre-Oct. 7 Warnings, Poll Finds

A recent poll indicates that a majority of Israelis place more trust in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official stance than in media investigations regarding warnings before the October 7th Hamas attack. The survey, conducted by NEXT DATA on September 28, 2026, involved 573 adult residents and was analyzed by Shlomo Filber. When asked whose version they believed more concerning pre-attack warnings, 53 percent favored the Prime Minister's position, while 46 percent trusted journalistic investigations, and 1 percent were undecided.

The poll also explored the motivations behind media reports on the warnings. A significant 54 percent of respondents believe these high-profile reports are politically motivated, likely with an election agenda. Conversely, 44 percent think journalists are genuinely seeking the truth, with 2 percent remaining uncertain.

Additionally, the survey touched upon Israelis' views on the Prime Minister's recent international engagements, specifically his meeting with the leader of the United Arab Emirates. Over half of the participants, 51 percent, view this visit as a sign of strong trust from moderate Arab leaders towards the Israeli premier. However, 34 percent expressed skepticism, and 15 percent abstained from giving an opinion.