Vast majority of Israelis want Netanyahu to resign over October 7 attack – poll

More than 70% of respondents said that the prime minister should step down immediately or when the war in Gaza is over

Nearly three-quarters of Israelis want Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign over his government’s failures during the October 7 Hamas attack, according to a poll published by Channel 12 on Friday.

Out of the 72% respondents who said that the prime minister should step down, 44% believed that he should leave office immediately, while 28% suggested that he should resign after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) finish their military operation in Gaza.

Israeli citizens have repeatedly organized protest rallies against Netanyahu since the war in Gaza erupted, with many calling for a ceasefire and urging the government to bring back the remaining hostages held by Hamas.

On October 7, Hamas and allied Palestinian militants carried out a surprise attack on Israeli military bases, cities and farming communities. In many places, the IDF were seemingly caught off and quickly overwhelmed, as civilians were forced to either defend themselves or flee.

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The Israeli media described the attack as a “devastating intelligence failure,” with Channel 12 reporting that the army failed to properly maintain a signal system at the border with Gaza. The York Times reported in November that Israeli intelligence and military officials obtained Hamas’ plan for the October 7 incursion more than a year before it occurred, but believed that it was too unrealistic to pull off.

On Thursday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant urged the government to form a state commission that would investigate the failures in response to the October 7 attack. Netanyahu, however, has argued that such a probe could only be launched after the war ends.