A potential ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah is being discussed, with experts suggesting that it is unlikely to threaten the stability of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) in Jerusalem, mentioned that such a deal would be seen as a political victory for Netanyahu.
Plesner noted that within the government, Netanyahu seems to have solid support, even from far-right ministers who may not necessarily agree with a deal with Hezbollah. It is believed that these ministers are unlikely to resign if the agreement is approved.
Recent polling data from IDI revealed that Israelis hold differing opinions on the conflict in Lebanon. Approximately 46% of respondents prefer to continue the war with Hezbollah, while 46.5% are in favor of a diplomatic resolution with the group.
However, if Netanyahu proceeds with the ceasefire deal, he may need to work on maintaining his popularity among right-wing supporters. Plesner highlighted that a significant majority (72%) of Netanyahu's right-wing base prefers to continue combat with Hezbollah, with only 22% supporting a diplomatic solution.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, representing the far-right, strongly opposes the potential deal, labeling it as a historic mistake.
While the differing opinions within the Israeli population may not pose a direct threat to the government's stability, it indicates a need for Netanyahu to address the concerns of his right-wing supporters post the agreement. Plesner suggested that Netanyahu, known for being attentive to his political base, is likely to focus on shoring up support from the right in the aftermath of the deal.
