Netanyahu’s approval rating deteriorates at home and abroad

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during a press conference in Kirya military base, Tel Aviv, Israel, Oct. 28, 2023. (Reuters)
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Updated 17 September 2024
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Netanyahu’s approval rating deteriorates at home and abroad

  • Netanyahu has failed to negotiate a ceasefire and many Israelis now accuse him of sabotaging talks
  • 74 percent of Jews in the UK view Israel’s overall situation in a negative light

LONDON: Benjamin Netanyahu’s approval rating has fallen — in Israel and abroad — with British Jews showing “significant disapproval” of the current Israeli leadership.

More than 11 months into the war in Gaza, the death toll among Palestinians is more than 41,000. Farther north, there has been almost daily cross-border fire between Israeli forces and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, raising fears of an all-out Middle East war.

Meanwhile, there are 101 people still being held hostage by Hamas. At least six others are believed to have been killed by airstrikes on the besieged enclave.

Netanyahu has failed to negotiate a ceasefire and many Israelis now accuse him of sabotaging talks.

A new report by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research determined it is failures like these that have contributed to British Jews’ disapproval of the Israeli leadership.

Based on the most recent data, 80 percent either strongly or somewhat disapprove of Netanyahu, while only 12 percent strongly or somewhat approve.

In addition, 74 percent of Jews in the UK view Israel’s overall situation in a negative light, a figure nearly 10 percent higher than Israelis’ view of their country.

This is significantly worse than a year previously, reflecting the crisis of Oct. 7, the extended captivity of the hostages, and the ongoing war in Gaza.

The strictly orthodox, men, and people who voted for right-wing parties in the previous UK election were the most likely groups to view Israeli government policies more positively.

JPR’s executive director, Dr. Jonathan Boyd, said: ‘The Jewish community in the UK holds strong ties and attachments to Israel, and the events of the past year have affected British Jews very deeply.

“In many respects, we can see that they feel closer to Israel now than they did before October 7.

“Still, as this report demonstrates, we are also seeing high levels of disapproval for Netanyahu and even higher levels for the hard-right members of his coalition, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir.

“As much as Israel matters to British Jews, many are expressing clear concern about its current political leadership.”


IMF approves reviews, unlocks $240m in funding for Jordan

Updated 55 min 38 sec ago
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IMF approves reviews, unlocks $240m in funding for Jordan

  • The decision allows Jordan to draw about $130 million under the EFF and about $110 million under the RSF

AMMAN: The International Monetary Fund’s executive board has completed the fourth review of Jordan’s Extended Fund Facility and the first review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility, unlocking immediate access to about $240 million to support the kingdom’s economic program.

The decision allows Jordan to draw about $130 million under the EFF and about $110 million under the RSF, bringing total disbursements under the IMF arrangement to about $733 million.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the IMF said Jordan’s economy “remains resilient,” supported by sound macroeconomic policies and strong international backing.

Growth accelerated to 2.7 percent in the first half of 2025 and is expected to reach about 3 percent in the coming years, driven by major investment projects, deeper regional integration and continued structural reforms.

Inflation remains anchored at about 2 percent, while the current account deficit is projected to narrow to below 5 percent of GDP over the medium term. The IMF also noted that Jordan’s banking sector is stable and international reserves remain strong.

Fiscal performance continues to align with program targets, underpinned by robust revenue collection and disciplined current spending. The authorities remain committed to reducing public debt to 80 percent of GDP by 2028 through gradual fiscal consolidation, while protecting social and development spending and reducing losses at public utilities.

The IMF said progress under the RSF is ongoing, with reforms addressing vulnerabilities in the water and electricity sectors and strengthening health emergency preparedness. All reform measures scheduled for the current review have been completed.

Commenting after the board discussion, IMF Deputy Managing Director Kenji Okamura said Jordan’s continued macroeconomic stability amid persistent external headwinds reflects the authorities’ commitment to sound policies, supported by strong international assistance.

He said growth continues to recover, inflation remains low and reserve buffers are strong, stressing the importance of maintaining prudent fiscal and monetary policies amid regional tensions and global uncertainty.

Okamura added that accelerated structural reforms are essential to foster job-rich growth, improve the business environment, enhance labour market flexibility, tackle youth unemployment and low female labour force participation, and attract private investment.

He also underlined the importance of sustained donor support to help Jordan manage external challenges and the economic cost of hosting large numbers of refugees, while noting that progress under the RSF would help address long-term vulnerabilities and strengthen balance-of-payments stability.