Israeli poll: Majority fear global backlash on travel
More than half of Israelis fear that the growing international backlash over the war in Gaza could limit their ability to travel abroad, according to a Channel 12 poll aired on Monday.
Fifty-six percent of respondents expressed concern about potential travel difficulties linked to global criticism of Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Another 40% expressed no concern, while 4% were unsure.
The findings come amid a series of incidents involving Israeli tourists overseas, many of which have drawn attention in Israeli media.
Last week, an Israeli tourist reported being attacked on a beach in Athens, where a man bit off part of his ear while shouting, 'Free Palestine, f*** Israel, I'm Hamas.'
Days earlier, a group of Israeli youths were reportedly pushed by pro-Palestinian demonstrators while vacationing on the Greek island of Rhodes. Separately, a cruise ship owned by an Israeli company was barred from docking at the Greek island of Syros and rerouted to Cyprus after a large protest at the port.
The poll also reflected growing dissatisfaction with Israeli leadership. Sixty-seven percent of the respondents felt government policies do not reflect their will, while 29% believed they do.
Even among voters backing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, 44% said the government does not represent them. Fifty-one percent responded that it does.
Asked about the ongoing hostage crisis, 62% of respondents favored a comprehensive deal to release all captives held in Gaza. Twenty-eight percent supported expanding the military campaign to fully occupy the enclave.
Just 4% backed a partial deal to release about half the hostages—an option reportedly discussed in indirect negotiations over recent months.
On the question of future policy in Gaza, 49% opposed building settlements in the territory, while 36% supported the idea. Fifteen percent were undecided.
Respondents also assessed the performance of top government officials. Fifty-five percent rated Netanyahu's leadership as 'poor,' compared with 39% who described it as 'good.'
Defense Minister Israel Katz received a negative rating from 53%, while 34% viewed his performance positively. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar was rated 'poor' by 57%, and 'good' by 25%.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
39 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Beirut rebukes Iranian FM over Hezbollah remarks
Shafaq News – Beirut Lebanon's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday condemned recent remarks by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi regarding Hezbollah's role in the country, describing them as an unacceptable intrusion into Lebanon's internal affairs. The statement followed Araghchi's public rejection of a Lebanese government plan to bring all weapons under state authority—a proposal that has sparked political tensions and drawn strong opposition from Hezbollah and its allies. While asserting that Iran 'offers support but not direction,' Araghchi praised Hezbollah's military readiness and affirmed Tehran's continued backing for the group's decisions. In its response, the Foreign Ministry labeled the remarks 'rejected and condemned,' stressing that they 'do not concern the Islamic Republic in any way' and constitute 'a breach of Lebanon's unity, sovereignty, and stability.' It underscored that relations between states must be grounded in mutual respect, equality, and non-interference, adding that it is 'completely unacceptable' for foreign powers to back actors operating outside the framework of the Lebanese state. The controversy arose after Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced on Tuesday that the Lebanese Army has been tasked with drafting a phased roadmap to place all arms under state authority by the end of 2025. The plan, discussed during a cabinet session at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, forms part of a broader US-supported initiative aimed at arms control and comprehensive security sector reform. The announcement prompted ministers from Hezbollah and the Amal Movement to walk out of the meeting in protest. Information Minister Paul Morcos later confirmed that the cabinet will reconvene on August 9 to continue deliberations on the draft. Hezbollah called the plan a 'grave mistake' that weakens Lebanon's ability to defend itself against Israeli attacks. The group argued that the proposal contradicts the government's own ministerial declaration and accused it of being shaped by 'dictates from US Envoy Tom Barrack.' In June, Barrack reportedly submitted a roadmap for Hezbollah's full disarmament to Lebanese officials, including a proposed cabinet resolution committing the government to that goal. The US has increased its pressure on Beirut to take formal steps toward disarmament, warning that failure to do so could invite further Israeli military escalation. Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem reiterated on Thursday that the group would not accept any deal aimed at dismantling its arsenal, describing US demands as 'unacceptable.' While expressing readiness for dialogue on a national defense strategy, the group maintained that such discussions must take into account ongoing Israeli violations and the broader question of Lebanese sovereignty.
Shafaq News
39 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Smuggling and sanctions: Iraq caught in crossfire of US pressure
Shafaq News – Baghdad / Washington A proposed US congressional bill aiming to ban energy imports from Iran could severely impact Iraq's electricity supply and cut available power, according to oil expert Nabil al-Marsoumi. Speaking to Shafaq News, al-Marsoumi said the 'No Iranian Energy' Act —currently under congressional review—would directly target Iraq's dependence on Iranian gas and electricity, which together account for about 40% of the country's energy needs. 'The measure would leave the country facing limited and difficult alternatives, especially during peak summer demand." Iraq has entered the scope of Washington's expanding sanctions strategy against Iran. The bill—introduced in April by Republican Congressman August Pfluger—is part of President Donald Trump's broader 'maximum pressure' campaign and seeks to halt all Iraqi purchases of Iranian natural gas, which has long supported Iraq's power sector. Although Iraq had previously been granted temporary waivers to continue importing Iranian electricity and gas, those exemptions have since expired, and Baghdad is no longer legally permitted to import Iranian gas under the current US sanctions framework. Meanwhile, Iraq is also facing allegations of oil smuggling through crude blending operations. At the al-Qayyarah field, production stands at 30,000 barrels per day, though only 3,000 barrels are used domestically. 'The remaining volume has drawn suspicion, as the field's heavy, high-sulfur crude holds little standalone market value and may be mixed with Iranian oil to bypass sanctions,' al-Marsoumi noted. Berth 41 at Khor al-Zubair is believed to be a central point in the suspected trafficking of both crude and black oil. Al-Marsoumi pointed to the State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO)'s acknowledgment of product leakage—particularly through Khor al-Zubair and Umm Qasr—as a possible indicator of organized smuggling activity. As of August 1, SOMO officially withdrew from its role in transporting crude from production fields to Khor al-Zubair. That responsibility has been handed to oil companies, while SOMO continues to oversee sales. According to al-Marsoumi, the move appears aimed at distancing the organization from mounting operational controversies.
Shafaq News
39 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq to vote on PMF law in days despite US pressure
Shafaq News – Baghdad Iraqi lawmakers are preparing to vote within days on the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Authority Law, despite strong US opposition and efforts by some Shiite leaders to postpone the bill to the next parliamentary session, MP Hassan al-Asadi told Shafaq News on Thursday. Al-Asadi, a senior figure in the National Approach Bloc (Al-Nahj Al-Watani) within the Shiite Coordination Framework (CF), confirmed that the bill has completed two parliamentary readings and is scheduled for a final vote after the Arbaeen pilgrimage on August 14, describing it as essential to regulating the PMF's administrative structure. While criticizing external pressure on Iraq's legislative decisions, he rejected 'any interference—whether from the United States or others—particularly in matters concerning the PMF,' which he referred to as an official military institution. The MP also pointed to a second bill, Iraq's PMF Service and Retirement Law, which has been returned to the cabinet for amendments and has not yet reached parliament. He clarified that delays surrounding this legislation stem from internal political disputes unrelated to the institution. Meanwhile, a senior political source told Shafaq News that key disagreements persist within Shiite parties over the PMF's future structure and leadership. The current draft envisions incorporating the force into Iraq's formal military hierarchy, with standardized ranks—an approach reportedly facing resistance from powerful factions within the PMF. 'Unless a political agreement is reached, the law may be deferred to the next parliamentary session, though some parties may resort to political bargaining to secure its passage.' The legislative push comes nearly nine years after Iraq's parliament first recognized the PMF in 2016 in response to the war against ISIS. That law, while symbolically significant, lacked organizational clarity. The new draft seeks to define the PMF's role within Iraq's security architecture as part of a broader reform effort. Washington, however, has raised repeated objections. On Tuesday, US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce warned that the law would strengthen Iran-aligned groups within the PMF, including several designated as terrorist organizations by the United States—among them Kata'ib Hezbollah, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, and Harakat al-Nujaba. Another Department official told our agency that Washington 'strongly opposes any legislation that is inconsistent with the goals of our bilateral security assistance and partnership,' and cautioned that the US would continue taking 'appropriate action' against financial entities engaging with sanctioned groups.
