Survey reveals 49% U.S. voters see Netanyahu as obstacle to Israel-Palestine peace
Washington: In light of a newly proposed ceasefire deal from the White House and recent comments by President Joe Biden suggesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prolonging the Gaza conflict to maintain power, a new Data for Progress survey indicates a significant portion of U.S. likely voters view Netanyahu as a major barrier to peace between Israel and Palestine.
The survey, conducted from June 5 to 6, reveals that 49% of respondents believe Netanyahu is either a major or moderate obstacle to achieving peace, while only 18% think he is not an obstacle at all.
When asked about the primary responsibility for the lack of a permanent ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, 38% of voters believe both Netanyahu and Hamas share equal responsibility. This view is particularly strong among swing voters, who see equal blame on both sides by a 19-point margin over blaming Hamas alone.
The survey also explored voter opinions on Biden’s three-phase ceasefire proposal announced on May 31. A significant majority of 64% of voters express their support for the proposal. This includes a +37 net support from Independents and +44 from swing voters, highlighting widespread approval across various political demographics.
The ceasefire plan initially faced challenges as reports indicate Biden announced the three-phase proposal without prior agreement from Netanyahu. This led to mixed responses from Israeli officials regarding their support for the plan. Netanyahu has since stressed that Israel would not commit to a permanent end to the war, aiming instead to dismantle Hamas’ military capabilities. Despite this, the UN Security Council has voiced support for the proposal.
Voters were also asked if the U.S. should withdraw military aid from Israel if its government rejects the ceasefire proposal. A majority of 53% support withdrawing military aid under these conditions. While Republicans are the only major subgroup that does not support this measure, 35% of them still express some level of support. Other subgroups show net support, including +49 from Democrats, +17 from Independents, +40 from voters under 45, and +25 from swing voters.
These findings coincide with public statements from key figures such as U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has criticized Netanyahu as a "major obstacle” to peace and called for new leadership in Israel. Public opinion in Israel also reflects increased resentment towards Netanyahu since the war began, with many Israelis believing his decisions are politically motivated rather than in the national interest.
The survey results indicate that American voters are increasingly critical of Netanyahu’s role in obstructing peace and support measures that align with international ceasefire efforts.
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Looking forward to my upcoming Israel visit: PM Modi
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he was looking forward to his upcoming visit to Israel.
The prime minister said this on X in response to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comment that Modi will visit Israel on Wednesday.
"Thank you, my friend, Prime Minister Netanyahu. I fully agree with you on the bond between India and Israel as well as the diverse nature of our bilateral relations. India deeply values the enduring friendship with Israel, built on trust, innovation and a shared commitment to peace and progress.
"Looking forward to our discussions during my upcoming Israel visit," he said.
In a post on X on Sunday morning, Netanyahu spoke about the historic visit of "my dear friend", Prime Minister Modi, to Israel on Wednesday.
He said the bond between Israel and India is a powerful alliance between two global leaders.
"We are partners in innovation, security, and a shared strategic vision. Together, we are building an axis of nations committed to stability and progress," he said.
Netanyahu said that from artificial intelligence to regional cooperation, the partnership between India and Israel continues to reach new heights.
"Looking forward to seeing you in Jerusalem, PM Modi!" he said.
