Israeli Public Cites Gaza War as Top Election Concern

The ongoing war in the Gaza Strip remains the foremost issue for the Israeli public ahead of the next election, with a recent poll showing 33% prioritize it over other concerns such as military conscription of ultra-Orthodox citizens and the cost of living. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition currently holds a blocking majority in the Knesset, complicating government formation unless opposition parties collaborate with Arab factions. Meanwhile, prominent Zionist leader Mort Klein praised President Trump’s administration for its strong pro-Israel policies, including relocating the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing the Golan Heights, reflecting ongoing U.S.-Israel cooperation. Regional dynamics have intensified with Israel and the U.S. conducting strikes on Iran, further destabilizing the Middle East and exacerbating the plight of Palestinians, who remain a central issue amid widespread destruction and political fragmentation. Historical researcher Thomas Suárez argues that Gaza's inhabitants are primarily displaced Palestinians whose homes were overtaken during Israeli territorial expansion and insists that peace efforts must involve their right to return and reconstruction funded by Israel and Western nations. Some commentators view the conflict as part of a broader Islamic struggle over Jerusalem and see Hamas as strategically using Palestinians as pawns in a wider war against Israel, suggesting that peace depends on the elimination of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian influence.