Do Israelis care about settler violence enough to change their vote?

In the race to boost their poll standings, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's current coalition is struggling, prompting concerns from Haaretz columnist Dr. Dahlia Scheindlin. A new right-wing party led by ex-general Ofer Winter has entered the competition, raising fears among Netanyahu that one or more such parties could fall below the electoral threshold, wasting valuable votes in his coalition. Urging unity, Netanyahu warns against the dangerous consequences of fragmenting the parties.

Dr. Scheindlin's insights come from her travels across Israel, where she has gathered voter sentiments. In Kiryat Shmona, a city severely impacted by the 2023 evacuation, residents are grappling with feelings of abandonment, and many continue to adhere to their party loyalty despite their dissatisfaction with the prime minister's administration. While some express support for non-Netanyahu right-wingers, others remain steadfast in their backing of Netanyahu, even amidst devastating events during his tenure.

Conspiracy theories suggesting a conspiracy between the army and Hamas to manipulate the October 7 event to tarnish Netanyahu's image persist among some constituents, according to Dr. Maltz. This ongoing uncertainty and divided loyalties among voters pose a significant challenge for the prime minister's current coalition.