Maariv poll | Likud maintains its strength - but Netanyahu has another reason to worry

A Maariv poll shows Likud remains at 18 seats, but the Netanyahu bloc weakens to 49 seats. The Zionist opposition bloc strengthens to 55 seats, mainly due to the weakening of Yashar! led by Gadi Eisenkot to 22 seats. Most Israelis are concerned about the decline in Israel's international standing.

A Maariv poll, conducted on September 23-24, 2026, indicates stability for Likud (18 seats) alongside a weakening of the coalition bloc. The Netanyahu bloc drops to 49 seats, mainly due to losses for United Torah Judaism and Shas (6 each). In contrast, the Zionist opposition bloc strengthens to 55 seats, with Yashar! led by Gadi Eisenkot weakening by an additional seat to 22, but "The Democrats" rise by 2 to 11. "Together" (13) and "Yisrael Beiteinu" (9) maintain their strength. The poll reveals that 48% of opposition voters prefer that the candidate for prime minister be the head of the largest party. 34% of Israelis want Netanyahu to serve as prime minister, mainly among coalition voters (82%). A majority of Israelis (62%) are concerned about the decline in Israel's international standing, with 88% of opposition voters concerned compared to 59% of coalition voters who are not concerned. The poll is based on 610 respondents out of 4,217 invited (14%), with a maximum sampling error of 4%.