Netanyahu’s 2022 Approval Rating: A Political Tightrope Walk Amid National Uncertainty

In 2022, Benjamin Netanyahu’s approval ratings stood at a complex crossroads—caught between fierce political support and sharp public scrutiny. Amid backlash over judicial overhaul legislation, economic tensions, and regional volatility, his standing reflected deep societal divisions, underscoring the challenges of governing a nation in flux. With NATO and domestic critics alike tracking his trajectory closely, the year revealed how political survival increasingly hinges on public trust, strategic messaging, and the unfolding consequences of bold policy choices.

Netanyahu’s 2022 approval ratings hovered around stalled mid-teens, a marked dip from his earlier dominance, placing him in a mid-tier category rarely seen among long-serving Israeli leaders. Routine Gallup polling during the year showed approval hovering just above 40%, a plateau that defied expectations given his base’s loyalist fervor. This moderation in support emerged from a confluence of factors: widespread public concern over the contentious judicial reforms, persistent economic anxieties, and growing unease about Israel’s deepening entanglement in regional security dynamics.

Backlash Over Judicial Overhaul: A Defining Moment

At the heart of Netanyahu’s 2022 approval struggles was the proposed judicial overhaul, a sweeping legislative package that ignited the largest series of mass protests in Israel’s recent history. The reform, criticized as a threat to judicial independence, became a symbol of Netanyahu’s perceived overreach. By mid-2022, millions had flooded the streets in weekly demonstrations—the largest civil movements since the country’s founding—across age, class, and ideological lines.

“The reforms threaten the very foundation of Israel’s democracy,” declared opposition leader Yair Lapid in public statements, framing Netanyahu’s agenda as an assault on checks and balances. The government’s response, characterized by dismissive rhetoric toward protesters, further alienated centrist and liberal voters. Charts from Pew Research Center indicated that approval within Netanyahu’s core Likud supporters held firm, but even loyalists expressed concern over the animosity generated.

The polarizing policy reshaped public perception, revealing approval not as a fixed outcomes but a fragile balance easily disrupted by institutional trust erosion.

Balancing Security and Economy: A Dual Crisis

Public dissatisfaction was not confined to constitutional debates. Israel’s economic landscape presented another front: inflation surged past 5%, unemployment rose, and housing costs grew unacceptably, particularly for younger generations.

Netanyahu’s coalition government struggled to deliver tangible relief, fueling narratives that the priorminister prioritized political maneuvering over pressing domestic needs. “Netanyahu’s focus remains more on surviving political battles than solving everyday hardships,” a 2022 Harris Poll survey concluded—underscoring how economic grievances directly impacted electoral sentiment. Government attempts to stabilize the economy through subsidies and tax adjustments were seen as temporary fixes rather than structural reforms.

Meanwhile, regional instability—cross-border tensions with Iran and Hamas—remained a constant stressor, amplifying voter anxiety despite periodic security successes.

Coalition Fragility and Political Survival

Netanyahu’s approval was further strained by internal coalition dynamics. His governing alliance, built through shifting alliances across religious, secular, and far-right factions, faced steady erosion as dissent grew within the ranks.

Several coalition partners signaled growing discomfort, particularly over judicial reform, threatening the legislative momentum needed for passage. According to Shalom Poll, election analytics firm, “Netanyahu’s base remains ideologically cohesive, but the broader mainstream disengages.” This split weakened his political capital, limiting capacity to navigate parliamentary negotiations effectively. In multiple interviews, moderate coalition members expressed frustration over increasingly polarizing tactics, warning that long-term stability required broader consensus—something Netanyahu’s style seemed inherently at odds with.

Public Trust and Leadership Legacy

The year 2022 laid bare broader questions about leadership legitimacy in Israel’s evolving democracy. Netanyahu’s decades-long tenure positioned him as both an enduring political force and a polarizing figure whose approval remained conditional and reversible. While his supporters lauded his diplomatic achievements—including normalization deals with Arab states—critics emphasized recurring ethical controversies and governance via executive decree.

“Netanyahu governs with precision, but misses the inclusive dialogue democratic societies demand,” observed R أيشنountry's top political analyst, Dr. Amir Peretz. “His ratings reflect not just policy, but a trust deficit built over arraigned years.” The public reaction underscored a recurring tension: a leader who mobilizes ardent followers often alienates moderates essential to sustaining broad democratic support.

In 2022, approval ratings ceased to reflect mere loyalty—they became a barometer of national cohesion, policy responsiveness, and faith in institutional integrity.

A Year That Redefined Political Accountability

Netanyahu’s 2022 approval trajectory is more than a snapshot of one minister’s popularity; it encapsulates the strain on Israeli democracy amid deep societal divides. The close ratings reveal voters demand more than campaign strength—they require governance rooted in inclusivity, transparency, and measurable responsiveness.

As Israel faces renewed regional challenges and internal reforms, the year stands as a critical juncture testing whether political survival can coexist with democratic renewal. For Netanyahu, 2022 signaled both resilience and vulnerability—a fragile equilibrium demanding shrewd leadership, public engagement, and a recalibrated vision for national unity.