A new survey shows most right-wing voters demand Israel fight until Hamas’s total surrender, rejecting temporary deals and pauses in the war.
A Direct Polls Institute survey released Sunday reveals overwhelming support among right-wing voters for continuing the Gaza war until Hamas is fully defeated — even if it means rejecting any temporary hostage or ceasefire deals.
Commissioned by the Religious Zionism party, the poll shows strong alignment with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s hardline stance: military operations should not proceed without the explicit goal of Hamas’s complete surrender and the return of all hostages — without pauses that allow the terror group to regroup.
Key findings include:
- Likud voters: 61% agree with Smotrich’s position, only 27% oppose.
- Religious Zionism voters: 79% support, just 12% oppose.
- Otzma Yehudit voters: a staggering 86% back Smotrich.
When asked specifically about Smotrich’s criticism of the Cabinet’s newly approved Gaza plan:
- Among Likud voters, 50% side with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who argues the current plan should move forward even without a comprehensive deal.
- 43% back Smotrich, insisting that fighting should continue uninterrupted until all objectives are achieved.
- Among Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit voters, 85% side with Smotrich in the dispute.
The survey was conducted digitally with a representative panel of 514 adult respondents, carrying a ±4.4% margin of error at a 95% confidence level.
The results highlight a deepening divide within Israel’s right-wing camp over war strategy — with a growing base demanding “no pauses, no compromises, total victory.”A Direct Polls Institute survey released Sunday reveals overwhelming support among right-wing voters for continuing the Gaza war until Hamas is fully defeated — even if it means rejecting any temporary hostage or ceasefire deals.
Commissioned by the Religious Zionism party, the poll shows strong alignment with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s hardline stance: military operations should not proceed without the explicit goal of Hamas’s complete surrender and the return of all hostages — without pauses that allow the terror group to regroup.
Key findings include:
- Likud voters: 61% agree with Smotrich’s position, only 27% oppose.
- Religious Zionism voters: 79% support, just 12% oppose.
- Otzma Yehudit voters: a staggering 86% back Smotrich.
When asked specifically about Smotrich’s criticism of the Cabinet’s newly approved Gaza plan:
- Among Likud voters, 50% side with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who argues the current plan should move forward even without a comprehensive deal.
- 43% back Smotrich, insisting that fighting should continue uninterrupted until all objectives are achieved.
- Among Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit voters, 85% side with Smotrich in the dispute.
The survey was conducted digitally with a representative panel of 514 adult respondents, carrying a ±4.4% margin of error at a 95% confidence level.
The results highlight a deepening divide within Israel’s right-wing camp over war strategy — with a growing base demanding “no pauses, no compromises, total victory.”
