Netanyahu’s US diplomacy boosts Likud, exposing fractured opposition and collapsing narratives backed by hostile regional forces.
A new opinion poll conducted by the Lazar Research Institute and published Friday in Ma’ariv indicates growing public confidence in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his leadership on the international stage.
The survey shows Likud gaining two additional Knesset seats this week, a rise attributed largely to Netanyahu’s high-profile visit to the United States and his meeting with Donald Trump. The diplomatic engagement appears to have reinforced Netanyahu’s image as a leader capable of defending Israel’s strategic interests amid regional instability and persistent hostility.
As Likud strengthens, the governing coalition also gains momentum, rising to 52 seats. In contrast, the bloc opposing Netanyahu—excluding Hadash-Ta’al and Ra’am—drops to 58 seats. This decline is primarily driven by the weakening of Naftali Bennett’s party, which falls from 21 seats to 19, signaling erosion in opposition unity and voter confidence.
If elections were held today, Likud would emerge as the largest party with 27 seats. Bennett’s party would secure 19, while The Democrats, Yesh Atid, Yisrael Beiteinu, and Otzma Yehudit would each receive around ten seats. Shas and United Torah Judaism would follow with eight and seven seats respectively, while Hadash-Ta’al and Ra’am would each receive five.
The Religious Zionist Party currently remains below the electoral threshold but is closest to re-entering parliament. Trailing further behind are Reservists’ Party, Blue and White, and Balad.
