Israeli Opposition Poised to Take Parliament as Support for Netanyahu Wanes

Israel’s opposition bloc could form a government if elections were held today, as the latest opinion poll shows the group gaining a narrow majority in the Knesset while the coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu loses support. The survey, conducted by the Lazar Research Institute with Israeli daily Maariv on 17–18 June 2026, indicates opposition parties could win 61 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, the minimum threshold required to form a government. In contrast, Netanyahu’s governing bloc is projected to secure only 49 seats, while Arab parties are expected to hold 10 seats. The results also show rising support for the Yashar Party, led by former Israeli military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, which is projected to win 21 seats, matching Netanyahu’s Likud Party. According to Maariv, support for Likud has steadily declined in recent polls, with the party losing seven seats compared to the previous survey. Meanwhile, the Together Party, led by former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, has also seen a drop in support since its alliance was announced in April. The survey was released amid political and security developments in the region following a 14-point agreement between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the conflict between the two nations. The deal includes a commitment to permanently halt military operations, including in Lebanon, and a ban on the use or threat of military force among the involved parties. However, several Israeli cabinet members, particularly from the hard-right faction, reject linking the US-Iran agreement to a cessation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon. They continue to support the Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon and the continuation of security operations there. The latest survey results underscore the fluid dynamics of Israeli politics, with public support for Netanyahu’s coalition facing sustained pressure amid regional developments.