Iranian Dissidents Root for Netanyahu's Election Victory

As Israelis head to the polls for the 26th Knesset elections, a segment of Persian-speaking social media users are expressing fervent support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. These individuals, many of whom appear to be dissidents opposed to the Iranian regime, are hoping for Netanyahu's continued leadership in Israel, believing it will lead to increased pressure on Tehran and potentially foster political change within Iran. Their support is reportedly linked to past Israeli military actions against Iran, including strikes on military and nuclear facilities in June 2025 and joint U.S.-Israeli operations in February 2026.

Some Iranian users have adopted affectionate nicknames for Netanyahu, such as "Bibi John," a Persian term of endearment, and "Bibi Gol," inspired by a popular Iranian song. One user even pledged "a thousand blessings and 12 candles" for Netanyahu's victory, while another expressed a wish that Iranians could also vote in Israeli elections. These sentiments were shared across social media platforms, with hundreds of Persian comments observed regarding the Israeli elections.

A survey conducted in June 2026 by the GAMAAN research institute, which polled over 31,000 participants within Iran, indicated a significant level of positive sentiment towards Netanyahu. The weighted results showed that 50.6% of respondents held a favorable view of him, compared to 38.1% who expressed a negative stance. This online poll utilized a statistical weighting method.

Despite the widespread support, some comments also conveyed anticipation for continued Israeli military action against the Iranian regime, with one user questioning why Israel had not completed its actions before the elections.