Netanyahu surges in poll by left-leaning Channel 12, with his Likud party recovering strongly along with right-wing allies

The rumors of Benjamin Netanyahu’s political demise are greatly exaggerated. After taking a beating in opinion polls since mid-2023, the Prime Minister is surging back, riding a nationalist wave that demands victory, not capitulation, in Gaza.

A poll by Channel 12, one of Israel’s left-leaning television channels, show Netanyahu as the most popular political figure in the country, overtaking Benny Gantz, whose popularity has faltered since aligning with the Biden Administration in advocating for peace at any price. While Netanyahu’s Likud still trails Gantz’ National Union party by 25-21 seats, that 4-seat margin a vast improvement over the situation several months ago. In December, the Likud trailed by 19 seats.

Netanyahu does face challenges from other hawks, including a potential new party headed by the slick former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen, who is said to be contemplating a run in politics together with former Likud ministers and other right-of-center politicians.

But the strong showing of Netanyahu validates his steadfast adherence to the war goals of defeating Hamas, returning all the hostages, and prevent a resurgence of post-war threats, including opposition to any role for the Palestinian Authority, unlike Gantz and even Likud Defense Minister Yoav Galant.