Israel’s Channel 12 poll of Israelis, released on July 11, showed that 74% support a deal whereby all the hostages would be released at once, “in exchange for an end to the Gaza war.” The remaining 26% divided up as 8% supporting Netanyahu’s current deal, 12% opposed to a deal to end the war, and 6% undecided. Of note, even amongst the Israelis who had voted for Netanyahu’s coalition government, 60% wanted the ‘all hostages for permanent ceasefire’ deal and 22% opposed any deal.
Asked about the poll today, Netanyahu argued that the wording of the question is the problem: “I’m also in favor of a deal—but they don’t say to you [in the questionnaire] the other side of things. That is, these are manipulated polls, they’re always misleading the public. They’re not asking: Do you want a deal for the release of hostages that leaves Hamas in its place? So it can repeat its offenses of rape, murder, kidnappings, and invasions? No. Otherwise, the results would be the complete opposite.”
Afterwards, Netanyahu published a video attacking the media for “manufactured” polls that show a majority are for a hostage deal, and for spreading “Hamas propaganda.” Then, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum cited Netanyahu for again torpedoing a deal, and for “presenting a false representation that we cannot reach a comprehensive agreement, in opposition to the people’s will.” Rather: “The facts are simple… 80% of the people want an agreement that would bring the fighting to an end and the return of all hostages.”
Channel 12, in rapid response to Netanyahu’s characterization of their poll, simply pointed out the three choices offered in the poll—which showed 8% for his ‘some hostages for temporary ceasefire’ approach.
