Majority Support Strong Hamas Strikes and Back Netanyahu on Turkey Threat, Poll Shows

A recent series of polls published by News 14 on Monday reveals strong Israeli public support for decisive military action against Hamas and backing for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's approach to regional threats. According to the survey, 74% of respondents favor a powerful strike against Hamas in response to threats from incendiary balloons and drones launched from Gaza. Meanwhile, 53% believe Netanyahu is handling the emerging Turkish threat in Syria correctly, with half attributing the cabinet's decision to attack Syria to operational considerations rather than political motives.

The polls also explored attitudes toward other security and political issues. Regarding the U.S. economic sanctions plan against Iran, 42% think it will succeed, while 30% doubt its effectiveness. On the personal security of former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot, 60% view the Shin Bet's protection request as a genuine security concern, though 29% see it as politically motivated. Additionally, 56% believe the Shin Bet erred in initially refusing to provide him protection.

Political questions addressed the fate of smaller parties struggling to pass the electoral threshold, with 45% supporting their unification and 42% favoring withdrawal from the race. When asked who should lead a unified list, Hili Tropper topped the preferences at 30%, followed by Ofer Winter at 17%. The survey also highlighted criticism of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, with 66% saying his conduct harms Israel's international standing, compared to 19% who see it as beneficial.

These findings reflect public sentiment ahead of the 2026 elections, indicating strong support for hardline security policies and skepticism toward some political figures' approaches.