A Survey in Israel: Benny Gantz's Party Will Win If Parliamentary Elections Are Held

A new survey in Israel indicates that if parliamentary elections were to be held, the "National Unity" party led by Benny Gantz would defeat Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party. Mr. Gantz's party recently exited the Israeli security cabinet, where he held the position of Minister of Defense. According to a survey by the newspaper "Maariv," conducted shortly after the rescue of four Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity in Gaza, Benny Gantz would receive 41% of the votes while Benjamin Netanyahu would receive 35%. The report also states that respondents prefer Mr. Gantz as Prime Minister over Avigdor Lieberman, the leader of the far-right "Israel Beitenu" party. On June 9, Mr. Gantz announced his resignation, accusing Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing a "real victory." He stated, "I ask Netanyahu to set a mutually agreed date for elections. Do not let our people become divided." In response to Gantz's speech, Netanyahu wrote on social media platform "X": "Israel is in a multi-front war for its existence while Gantz is still busy talking." He addressed the centrist politician, saying, "Now is not the time to abandon the campaign; now is the time to unite forces." Earlier, Benny Gantz had given the Israeli Prime Minister a deadline, stating that if he did not provide an operational plan for the Gaza war and its main objectives by June 9, he would exit the coalition with him. These objectives included the return of hostages, the overthrow of Hamas's government, demilitarization of Gaza, regaining Israeli security control over it, establishing an international civilian governance mechanism for Gaza, returning residents of northern Israel to their homes by September 1, and progressing towards normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia. Benny Gantz, a former and popular commander of the Israeli army, is considered one of the prominent critics of the Prime Minister. Shortly after Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7, he joined Netanyahu's government in a show of unity. Benny Gantz also has good relations with American officials. Gantz announced his resignation from Netanyahu's emergency government after the rescue of four Israeli hostages in Gaza, stating that "we will not surrender to terrorism." There is a possibility of a rift in Israel's war cabinet; Gantz is expected to announce his party's exit from the coalition with Netanyahu's government on Saturday. Gantz's party has called for a vote on the dissolution of the Israeli parliament.