Said Amori and Ikram Kouachi
07 February 2025•Update: 07 February 2025
JERUSALEM
A public opinion poll in Israel revealed on Friday that US President Donald Trump's plan to expel Palestinians from Gaza has boosted the popularity of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, increasing its projected Knesset seats to 53, up an additional four from last week's survey.
According to the poll published in the Israeli newspaper Maariv, Netanyahu’s coalition would secure 53 seats if elections were held today, up from 49 in the previous poll.
The findings suggest that Trump's controversial statement has contributed to an increase in support for the right-wing bloc.
Despite this increase, the right-wing coalition still falls short of the 61-seat majority required to form a government.
On Tuesday, President Trump said at a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US would “take over” Gaza and resettle Palestinians elsewhere under an extraordinary redevelopment plan that he claimed could turn the enclave into “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
He doubled down on his proposal Thursday and said no US soldiers would be needed.
The proposal has been widely condemned by world leaders.
The survey also indicated a slight decline in the popularity of the opposition following Trump’s announcement.
The poll found that 47% of Israelis believe Trump’s plan to expel Palestinians from Gaza could be implemented, while 38% consider it unrealistic, and 15% are uncertain.
Among right-wing voters in Israel, 78% supported Trump's proposal to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza.
On Jan. 19, a ceasefire agreement took effect in Gaza, halting Israel’s genocidal war, which has killed nearly 47,600 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
