Netanyahu’s Support Grows as Bennett Struggles to Form Government

Coalition Strengthening Amid Political Shifts

Recent polling data reveals that the coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strengthened, gaining three additional seats to reach a total of 51. In contrast, the opposition bloc headed by Naftali Bennett has declined to 59 seats, making it challenging for Bennett to form an alternative government without the support of non-opposition parties. This shift primarily results from an increase of two seats for the Likud party, which now stands at 27 seats, alongside a gain for the United Torah Judaism party, now at 8 seats. Conversely, the Blue and White party, under Bennett, has lost two seats, pushing their total down to 19.

Gadi Eisenkot’s Departure and Its Implications

The recent departure of Gadi Eisenkot from the Blue and White party adds another layer of complexity to the political landscape. Eisenkot’s new party is projected to garner around six seats from the opposition bloc, significantly impacting Bennett’s party. This downward trend has left the Blue and White party with only five seats.

Under various scenarios, Eisenkot’s potential alliances could further influence the government formation process. The first scenario outlines a merger between Eisenkot and Bennett, potentially uniting them for a total of 25 seats, equivalent to their separate counts. This collaboration would also help the Religious Zionism party surpass the electoral threshold, resulting in a coalition strength of 54 against the opposition’s 56 seats.

The second scenario suggests a partnership between Eisenkot and Avigdor Lieberman, which could yield 17 seats-three more than they would achieve separately-while reducing Bennett’s party to 18 seats. Similarly, the third scenario involves a coalition with Yair Lapid, resulting in 15 seats for the united front, according to projections that suggest Bennett would drop to 21 seats, while the Religious Zionism party would not meet the threshold.

Public Sentiment on Early Elections and Netanyahu’s Trial

A survey conducted by Maariv reveals that half of the Israeli populace (50%) supports early elections, particularly among those intending to vote for opposition parties (86%). A total of 35% oppose early elections, including 70% of supporters from the current coalition. Notably, 25% of respondents believe Netanyahu’s trial should continue until its conclusion. In contrast, the majority (65%) favor an outcome that ends the trial, with preferences ranging from dismissing the charges (29%) to negotiating a plea deal contingent upon Netanyahu’s withdrawal from public life (23%).

Furthermore, a striking 70% of respondents advocate for a deal concerning kidnapped individuals, with many preferring a comprehensive exchange that concludes the ongoing conflict (45%). However, a minority (13%) oppose any deal, suggesting that military action should continue until Hamas is decisively defeated.

Conclusion

The shifting political dynamics in Israel reflect the complexities of coalition politics and public opinion. With the Israeli public divided on crucial issues including the trial of Netanyahu and the upcoming elections, the political landscape remains fluid. The findings from the survey reflect significant public engagement with these topics, highlighting a populace eager for resolution amid ongoing political uncertainty.

This analysis is based on data collected from a representative sample of the adult population in Israel conducted by “Lazar Research,” led by Dr. Menachem Lazar, in conjunction with the online response panel Panel4All. The survey took place on July 2-3, 2025, and included 511 respondents, with a sampling error of 4.4%.