Speaking on the UK-based Triggernometry podcast, Netanyahu said Israel has “work to do” in reaching Gen Z — the generation born between the late 1990s and early 2010s — especially as they become more influential in Western politics. His remarks come amid growing youth-led protests across Europe and the United States against Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
A recent Gallup poll underlines the extent of the problem: just six percent of Americans aged 18 to 34 said they view Netanyahu favorably, while only nine percent support Israel’s military campaign. The prime minister insisted that much of the opposition among young people is tied to what he described as a broader movement against Western values, although he did not provide evidence for his claims.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Defense Minister has approved a fresh push into Gaza City and authorized the mobilization of 60,000 reservists. The move intensifies pressure on Hamas even as international mediators attempt to negotiate a ceasefire. The conflict has already claimed a devastating human toll. Hamas’s October 2023 assault on Israel killed more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians. In response, Israel’s offensive has left over 62,000 Palestinians dead, the majority of them women and children, according to figures from Gaza’s health ministry that the United Nations considers credible.
Since his return to office in January, US President Donald Trump has pledged unwavering support for Israel. Netanyahu, praising Trump’s stance, described him as “an exceptional friend of Israel and an exceptional leader,” highlighting the strength of ties between the two governments despite growing criticism from younger generations in the West.
