On the evening of July 10, the third day of Operation Protective Edge, Channel 2 News broadcast a survey of the public's reaction to the conduct of its leadership, especially Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The poll indicates that most Israelis are not eager for a ground campaign in the Gaza Strip, despite the rocket attacks that have spread to the Tel Aviv area and beyond it to the north. Millions have to seek shelter at all hours and tens of thousands of reservists have been called up by special emergency orders.

According to the poll, 91% of the public support the operation, but only 42% think Israel should send ground forces into Gaza, as opposed to 47% who object. Top marks for their handling of the situation went to Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, who are promoting restraint in the Security Cabinet and have thus far managed to block the demands for a Gaza takeover espoused by Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman.

For Netanyahu, this is an interesting and positive result, easing the public pressure on him for a ground incursion, which he wants to avoid. Although he is sustaining electoral damage from the right, his power base, he can console himself with his broad public backing.

Netanyahu has said in the past that he is not a great fan of military confrontation. During his two previous terms in office he presented a policy of using force in a measured way, in sharp contrast to his 2006 election campaign, best remembered for the slogan “Strong against Hamas.”