After the announcement of the truce between Iran and Israel, although fragile, the streets and cafes of Jerusalem were once again filled with people. By the evening, all restrictions had been lifted. People were shopping again in the open markets. Some were simply relieved that the war, which lasted 12 days, was over. "I feel a little relieved that we are not at war anymore. But it can be confusing because we don't know who we can trust. "One day there is a truce, the next there is not," says Liba Farkish.
Many say they are happy that Israel attacked Iran and approve of Prime Minister Netanyahu's actions. "I think we attacked them at the perfect time, exactly when we needed to. I think Netanyahu did the best he could. They were very close to having a weapon to use against us, and honestly, we saved ourselves at the last moment", says high school student Adina Bier.
Avraham Levi is a store owner. "Netanyahu did all this not only for Israel, but for the whole world. Iran is a radical religious regime whose goal is to destroy Israel," says the man who has supported Netanyahu's Likud party for years. About 82% of Israelis support an attack on Iran, a recent poll shows.
A victory for Netanyahu
Just a month ago, Netanyahu's political ratings had taken a serious hit. Israel's longest-serving prime minister, often called the "magician" for his ability to maneuver through political crises, was facing increasing domestic and foreign pressure over the war in Gaza.
Netanyahu can now boast of having attacked Israel's greatest enemy and inflicted serious damage on its nuclear program. The attack on Iran helped Netanyahu restore his image as a strong leader after the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack on Israel showed a security failure. "Everything that has happened since October 7 is Iran's grand plan. "No one believed in a diplomatic solution with Tehran, the only option was military," writes Tal Schneider of the "Times of Israel".
Will this operation secure another mandate for Netanyahu?
Although opinion polls show that Netanyahu's party has gained approval for the war with Iran, the domestic political situation remains complex. A closer look reveals that the parties in the current ruling coalition will not be able to win a majority in a potential new parliament. "The polls show that the situation for Netanyahu remains essentially the same. He may have gained approval for his party, but it is at the expense of Itamar Ben-Gvir's extreme right-wing party. This means that Netanyahu does not have a particularly good chance of forming a coalition and a new government," Schneider explains. "He has failed to attract voters from the center. Those who oppose Netanyahu remain opposed. Even with the great military and strategic success that no one denies him."
Israeli observers praise the military operation against Iran, but many questions remain - whether it was successful enough in destroying Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missile stockpiles.
All eyes are back on Gaza
Attention in Israel has now returned to the war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. On Wednesday, it became clear that seven Israeli soldiers were killed in the southern parts of the enclave. "Sometimes you just have to do the right thing. Trump did it. If he can do it, so can you. You must stop this unnecessary war in Gaza immediately," Israeli journalist Ben Kaspit wrote in the "Maariv" newspaper. "Our best sons are dying there, and for what? To destroy the "terrorist infrastructure"? Are you serious? Do you hear me?", Kaspit continued. Polls show that there remains strong support for reaching a deal with Hamas in Gaza to free the remaining 50 hostages, dead or alive, and to stop the hostilities.
"It is important for Netanyahu to find a solution because the majority of his supporters want the hostages to be returned home, even if that means a temporary cessation, not a permanent end to the war," said Tamar Herman, a senior researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute. "If he wants to gain more support, he needs to do something about it."
This is also clearly visible on the streets of Jerusalem. "We should try to make a deal, but on Israel's terms, we shouldn't let them make fun of us anymore. This is our land, our people, we have to take them back, we just have to find the right way", says Adina Bier.
Netanyahu's critics have long accused him of not wanting to end the war and refusing to reach an agreement with Hamas on the release of the hostages. His far-right coalition partners have threatened to withdraw their support from the government if the war is ended before Hamas is destroyed. That would lead to early elections.
Author: Tanya Kremer