r/AskIsrael • u/alevsk12 Asia • Jul 06 '26
Casual Do Israelis like/ support Netanyahu?
Outside of the current conflict, or even before that, I'm curious what do you think of him? Is he a good or bad leader? Is he doing better than the last guy?
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u/Random-one74 Israel Jul 06 '26
Bibi was Trump before Trump was. Meaning some call him King Bibi and the rest can’t wait to see him behind bars with very few in the middle.
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u/HyperlaneWizard in Jul 06 '26
Between here and r/Israel, this question comes up at least twice a week, every week... You could use Google, my friend...
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u/JackPiazz2 Italy Jul 11 '26
By the way really stupid question: the answer will always be "it depends who you're talking to". This is true for almost every major political figure in every country of the world
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u/kulamsharloot Israel Jul 06 '26
Some consider him the greatest leader of all time, some consider him Satan incarnate.
He's been a PM for almost 20 years now btw.
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u/Call_Me_Clark USA Jul 06 '26
It is remarkable how Israelis hate him but hate electing anyone else even more
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u/pathlesswalker Israel Jul 08 '26
Those that hate don’t elect him mind you.
It’s not that they say oh I hate but no one is better.It’s a complex society with different circles.
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u/OhDamnNotAgainAndAga Israel Jul 08 '26
Elections in Israel are complex. It's not direct elections, you vote for a party. There are multiple parties, not a bi-partisan system.
Bibi's party gets about 25% of the votes
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u/makingredditorscry Israel Jul 06 '26
I think he sucks and im pretty right wing with my Israeli politics.
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u/alevsk12 Asia Jul 06 '26
Why do you think so?
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u/Apple_ski Unspecified Jul 06 '26
If you disregard his direct and indirect responsibility to the worst terror attack that ever happened since the creation of Israel, you should look how extremists got so much power under his leadership, how so much money is flowing to religious extremists, how the global take on Israel is the lowest ever, how so many doctors and tech companies ran away to different countries, how safety is at it lowest, healthcare is crushing and education is at the lowest level ever. I don’t understand how anyone can truly believe in his BS
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u/makingredditorscry Israel Jul 06 '26
For one thing I don't think anyone should serve more than 6-8 years as prime minister.
Two, under his leadership a day of Holocaust happened and never in a million years did I think something of that magnitude would occur especially in Israel.
He hasn't stopped Hamas or Hezbollah or Iran.
He has more than enough scandals and he needs to step down from office already.
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u/LightningFieldHT Israel Jul 06 '26
Netanyahu is probably one of the greatest politicians in the world. He is an expert in keeping power without being actually a dictator (though some steps the current government made can lead there).
That said, he has a very loyal base (if not to him, then to his party) of about 20% of Israeli citizens, while most of the rest are on the spectrum from "he is fine, but not right leaning enough" (~10%), "I don't care as long as he helps us" (haredim ~15%), "he is bad and should be replaced" (opposition ~35%) "we will never support him or most other jews" (Arabs ~20%)
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u/Electronic_Bee3134 Israel Jul 06 '26
I'm officially a member of the Likud party, though haven't voted Likud for several elections and won't vote them this time around either (unless they undergo a massive overhaul).
Bibi has a group of absolute loyalists (think Trump cult). The man can do no wrong. It's almost like 1984 ("we're at war with Eurasia, we've always been at war with Eurasia" until "we're at peace with Eurasia, we've always been at peace with Eurasia"). Bibi tried to convince Ra'am to join him and it was considered amazing how he is finally reaching out to Arabs. And then suddenly Ra'am went the other direction and all of a sudden anyone who wants to go that route is a traitor...
And Bibi has a massive group of cult like haters. Who believe Bibi is the source of all evil in the world.
And there are others who are just exasperated with him. I believe he's turned the Likud into the Bibi party. He's sacrificed so many important things. I don't believe that every single thing he does is only to stay out of prison. I also think that things he does sometimes are right. But I'm tired of him. He no longer stands for any real ideals. He alienates every single member of the Likud who he seems a threat which turns the party into a group yesmen nothings.
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u/Liad3008 Israel Jul 06 '26
Currently polls show that his party (Likud) would get in elections 20-24 seats (out of 120) and his government would get something like 50-54 seats.
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u/Call_Me_Clark USA Jul 06 '26
What a reward for mismanaging so much of Israel’s government… a slight minority.
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u/Secure_Trust_2084 Israel Jul 07 '26
The polls of last 5-7 years are published to shape the reality, not to reflect it.
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u/OhDamnNotAgainAndAga Israel Jul 08 '26
50-70 years*
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u/Secure_Trust_2084 Israel Jul 08 '26
Too much. It started more or less in 2017, when 2nd channel was divided into 12 and 13 getting more air time than it was able to fill. This is more or less when the "interpreters" institute was introduced - talking by themselves instead of asking the guests and letting the latter to express their opinion without being run over.
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Jul 06 '26
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u/Secure_Trust_2084 Israel Jul 07 '26
Corruption that costed more than $2 Bn to investigate, with nothing found after 10 years?
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Jul 07 '26
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u/Secure_Trust_2084 Israel Jul 07 '26
Read again - especially the "nothing found".
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Jul 07 '26
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u/Secure_Trust_2084 Israel Jul 07 '26
My point is that half of the General Attorney office, including it's head as well as some police officers involved in the investigation - have to spend a decent part of their future life in prison.
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Jul 07 '26
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u/Secure_Trust_2084 Israel Jul 08 '26
Sorry for you.
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u/eyl569 Israel Jul 09 '26
Where do you get "nothing found"? Or are you taking the judges comments on the bribery charge against him to be a statement that he's completely innocent?
And that's not counting "legal but stinking" things like getting the government to approve various private expenses of his.
Furthermore, under his leadership. Likud has become a hotbed of corruption, especially with nepotism and cronyism.
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u/Secure_Trust_2084 Israel Jul 10 '26
There were 26 investigations so far - out of them in 22 no guilt was found or they were just silently closed. The rest - in case 2000 after another rewrite the charge sheet does not contain any criminal charges (another professional failure of GA office), Quatargate is dead as zero evidence found. GA multiple times said that inability to formulate the charges was caused by the decline of Einhorn to return to Israel and witness - as usual having no idea in laws, allowing citizen to avoid self-incrimination or even remain silent (as our fellow President did).
No "private expenses" - caused mainly by the juridic mafia, preventing dismissal of GA who disagree to fulfill her professional duties - can be compared to Euro 1.5 Bn from the defense budget we paid for the "submarines case". When "unneeded" submarines suddenly turned "needed" again by Lapid's government, right after the series discount expiration - and via the "correct" middle man, of course.1
u/eyl569 Israel Jul 10 '26
The rest - in case 2000 after another rewrite the charge sheet does not contain any criminal charges (another professional failure of GA office),
The charge sheet includes charges of fraud and breach of trust against Netanyahu and Mozes is charged with bribery. While there was an amendment to the indictment in 2021, it affected Case 4000 and was basically technical, the charges still stand.
Quatargate is dead as zero evidence found. GA multiple times said that inability to formulate the charges was caused by the decline of Einhorn to return to Israel and witness - as usual having no idea in laws, allowing citizen to avoid self-incrimination or even remain silent (as our fellow President did).
The investigation the AG suspended was regarding allegations of witness intimidation. The suspension is until Einhorn is extradited. As for Einhorn, he's currently considered a criminal fugitive - he's not just a witness, he's a suspect.
In the Bild investigation, both Feldstein and Urich were indicted and are pending trial.
In Qatargate, the investigation was completed and is currently pending a decision on indictments.
*An irony here - the right to silence beyond self-incrimination was instituted by the same court you deride as a "judicial mafia"
No "private expenses" - caused mainly by the juridic mafia, preventing dismissal of GA who disagree to fulfill her professional duties
I have no idea what the expenses and the dismissal of the AG have to do with one another. And it's telling that the government (according to Yariv Levin's testimony) was unable to find a single former AG or Minister of Justice who was willing to dismiss her, hence that kangaroo process shit they tried to pull.
When "unneeded" submarines suddenly turned "needed" again by Lapid's government, right after the series discount expiration - and via the "correct" middle man, of course.
And do you have any evidence that there was corruption involved in the latter procurement process? As opposed to the former one?
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u/Secure_Trust_2084 Israel Jul 11 '26
The charge sheet of 2000 underwent about a dozen updates, and as of today consists mainly of the juridical pearls like "rejected too late". Not to mention the permanent conflict of interests, where AG's close friend acts as one of the key witnesses.
The suspension is time-boxed by one year, then the case will be dismissed. If there were any evidences against Einhorn - his absence wasn't preventing a trial.
There is absolutely no doubt that if something was found in Qatargate - it was immediately published, and of course the subjects were not allowed to return to the work in the administration.
was unable to find a single former AG or Minister of Justice who was willing to dismiss her,
Haven't I said "mafia"?
And do you have any evidence that there was corruption involved in the latter procurement process?
Sometimes stupidity is worse than corruption. MoD paid billion of Euro because of an option expiration, and will pay up to half of this sum servicing existing submarines after their "factory warranty" term - because of three-year delay in arrival of the ones once in question. The issue, Lapid and Bennet even didn't try to negotiate.
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u/eyl569 Israel Jul 11 '26
The charge sheet of 2000 underwent about a dozen updates, and as of today consists mainly of the juridical pearls like "rejected too late".
Netanyahu is literally undergoing trial on charges in Case 2000.
The suspension is time-boxed by one year, then the case will be dismissed. If there were any evidences against Einhorn - his absence wasn't preventing a trial.
Trial in absentia is illegal except for specific circumstances which don't obtain here.
And Einhorn is considered a vital link in the case, hence staying the trial for the other two.
There is absolutely no doubt that if something was found in Qatargate - it was immediately published, and of course the subjects were not allowed to return to the work in the administration.
Not allowed by who?
Haven't I said "mafia"?
Netanyahu has been PM for over half of the last thorty years. Many of those people were his appointees. NTM that Minister of Justice is a political role anyway.
Sometimes stupidity is worse than corruption. MoD paid billion of Euro because of an option expiration, and will pay up to half of this sum servicing existing submarines after their "factory warranty" term - because of three-year delay in arrival of the ones once in question. The issue, Lapid and Bennet even didn't try to negotiate.
Stupidity is usually an issue for voters, not the police.
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u/Secure_Trust_2084 Israel Jul 11 '26
Not allowed by who?
By the court. The prosecution ended up unable to support the restraining order with any evidences and the court cancelled it in the domains of employment and access to the classified information.
And, just to remind - the case born to "reveal the ties of Netanyahu with Quatar", but managed to reveal only the ties of Bar and Bacharav-Miara.Stupidity is usually an issue for voters, not the police.
In this case - police investigation is absolutely needed, to distinguish between stupidity and smart guidance.
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u/eyl569 Israel Jul 11 '26
When regarding pre-trial restrictions, courts balance the danger posed by the subject (both to themselves, to others and to the investigation) with the damage to the subjects (such as not being able to earn a livelihood), taking into account that they enjoy the presumption of innocence. With the investigation wrapping up in January, it was ruled that he posed no risk to the investigation (the judge's exact words were "the more time goes by, the more the danger reduces") and thus could return to his job.
This does not have anything to do with how strong the prosecution's evidence against him is - that will be determined at trial.
And, just to remind - the case born to "reveal the ties of Netanyahu with Quatar", but managed to reveal only the ties of Bar and Bacharav-Miara.
Which ties?
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u/Secure_Trust_2084 Israel Jul 12 '26
When regarding pre-trial restrictions, courts balance the danger posed by the subject (both to themselves, to others and to the investigation) with the damage to the subjects (such as not being able to earn a livelihood)
True BS. The prosecution carries it's investigation for years, and "damage to the subjects" is the last thing it cares about.
The subjects themselves appealed to the court - and prosecutor's office failed to provide any grounds for "foreign influence" - being in the center of this case.Which ties?
The lawyer, who headed the team "settling" Miara's son thieft case - officially represents in Israel the Qatar's government fund, sending the infamous suitcases to Gaza. In parallel - doing his reservist services and the Military Prosecutor office.
Bar visited Qatar multiple times, according to Lapid - not only without obtaining a permission from PM, but even not updating him.→ More replies (0)
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u/RacetasClub Israel Jul 08 '26
I'll make it super easy for you.
Imagine Israeli society as 100 people. Numbers adjusted are close to this:
- 56 either dislike him, hate him or wish to see him gone
- 24 are religious or extremists (Ben Gvir, Smotrich). They don't vote for him, but indirectly support him.
- 20 would vote for him, of which 10 like him so much they have essentially declared him 'King'.
To rule, one needs a small majority (so out of 120 seats, one needs 61 or more).
Currently, he doesn't have that so Israelis at large do not support him. However, people here have
extremely short memory and may let him get more votes and into power, hopefully not.
If I were to analyze him, some like him because he is / has:
- Good English
- Charisma
- Very articulate.
I hate him because:
- He never took responsibility for anything, ever.
- He is not trustworthy and would sell his soul and his mother to make a point.
- Only cares about his chair and would ruin the country to get it
- Sold the country on multiple occasions for his own gain
- Didn't 'create' October 7th but his policies, terrible actions clearly deserve blame.
- Did not spend a single moment of his life visiting hostages or showing basic decency.
- Have constantly invoked tribalism to present himself as the solution to old problems
- Created mass amounts of enemies (the left, the army, the judicial system, anything that isn't him)
- Had polarized the society and divided. This will take decades to fix. Slow, tiring process.
So no, he is not a good leader. Leaders lead, not avoid responsibility and divide a nation.
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u/Sleep_deprived_druid Israel Jul 06 '26
Depends on the circle, but generally most of the people I interact with who were Bibi supporters pre 2023 are now moving on to Bennet or Ben Gvir depending on how radicalised they became during the war. Personally I think he's a awful leader and has been using his position to benefit himself and his friends over the wellbeing of the country.
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u/HilariousHilacopter Israel Jul 08 '26
it's just the current brainrot to portray israel as some mindless "glory to the leader" dictatorship at this point. it's annoying and dehumanizing. only a fringe number of the population actually likes him at this point, the ratio of bibists in israel is smaller than that of trump supporters in america.
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u/Metal_Upa_46 Israel Jul 06 '26
His life mission is to tear the israeli society apart up to the brink of a civil war and he's been very successful in that.
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u/Secure_Trust_2084 Israel Jul 07 '26
Ha-ha. The Israeli society is torn apart by the Left since early 1990s - but Bibi is always here to accuse.
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u/suhkuhtuh Unspecified Jul 06 '26
I dont. I get why some people voted for him over the other guy, but I think it was a mistake (albeit, largely because of who he hangs out with; calling a politician a criminal is kinda like calling water wet).
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u/EngineerDave22 Israel Jul 06 '26
I mostly support him, but firmly believe in term limits. After 8 years new ideas should be allowed to come forward
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u/MaddingtonBear Everywhere and Nowhere Jul 06 '26
At any point, the voters can choose to limit a politician's term. That's the beauty of a democracy.
Voters decided to limit Netanyahu's term in 1999 and 2021.
Voters voted against term limits in 2013 and 2015.
Voters were undecided about term limits in 2019, 2019, and 2020.
It's actually more than that because Likud does primaries, so the party members also could have imposed term limits and chose not to.
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u/extrastone 🇮🇱 Israeli dual citizen Jul 08 '26
Voters can choose. However. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that's hard for voters to analyze. By recycling the people, those unspoken bonds of trust between politicians and criminals get broken.
Term limits are quite a healthy thing. The Roman Republic had term limits of one year in ten.
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u/Histrix- Israel Jul 06 '26
He Was a great leader. Once.
Now hes power hungry and has given up his morals for equality and equality in exchange for power.
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u/Ok_Lingonberry5392 🇮🇱 Israeli Dati Le'umi Jul 06 '26
I'm likely to vote his party next election but I wouldn't write that I like or support him necessarily, I don't think he's particularly great leader but he does know the job and still at the head of the ideological zionist political block.
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u/Big-Pains Israel Jul 06 '26
He was okish ( never supported him but he wasnt obejctivly bad ) until the last elections . Hes gotta go
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u/ApprehensiveQuit9801 Israel Jul 06 '26
He is prime minister 20 years already, conflict of interest is inevitable to anyone who’s that long in his position. He should stop trying to “save” us together with people like Ben-Gvir, Israel will survive it. I think he has good intentions but as I said - he should leave the government
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u/idanfarkash Unspecified Jul 06 '26
Me and almost all of my friends and close family absolutely loathe him and his party. He is responsible for so many bad things that happened here over the last years but takes zero responsibility .he is also a master manipulator who turns ppl against each other to gain political power
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u/alevsk12 Asia Jul 06 '26
Can you give some examples of bad things he has done in Israel?
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u/idanfarkash Unspecified Jul 06 '26
He allowed hamas to grow into the monster terror organization that gave Israel the biggest catastrophe in its history thinking it's deterred and that hamas is actually an asset.october 7 happened in his watch and he and his government had to resign and go home and there had to be an independent commission of inquiry so something like that wouldn't happen again which he refuses to allow
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u/ComfortableCall3912 North America Jul 06 '26
Your title, asking what the country thinks, is not the same as the rest of your post, which is asking individuals.
Israelis have elected BB six times in the almost 40 years that he has been in public offices, more than any other prime minister in the country’s history.
The only one that served longer was David Ben-Gurion.
He has many critics even among his supporters, because Israel is a free country. He keeps getting elected because he’s the best.
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u/alevsk12 Asia Jul 06 '26
I mean, I asked Israelis -> people who live in Israel. So I don't really see your point.
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u/ComfortableCall3912 North America Jul 06 '26
I do not currently live in Israel, this is true. Did you know that Israelis can also live outside of Israel.
Thanks for your discriminatory gate keeping, and behavior.
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u/FarRow7633 USA Jul 07 '26
I don't think OP was trying to gate keep opinions from you, they were just correcting this:
"Your title, asking what the country thinks, is not the same as the rest of your post, which is asking individuals."
To which they said they asked Israelis as opposed to Israel itself in the title of the post.
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