Archive for January, 2026


Issue Trends

This week’s polling reinforces a central dynamic in prime minister suitability. One matchup stands out: Bennett at 35% against Netanyahu’s 38%. It is the most crystallized contest, with both the narrowest gap and the lowest share of undecided voters. By contrast, Lapid’s 24% trails not only Netanyahu but also the undecided bloc, underscoring his difficulty in consolidating the alternative lane. Eisenkot, after peaking last week, shows renewed softness, losing ground to Netanyahu while nearly one-third of voters remain uncommitted.

A related undercurrent is the continued erosion within the Netanyahu Bloc. Data from Channel 12 show that a substantial share of former bloc voters are no longer parked safely within it: over 40% are now flowing to Bennett 2026, with another quarter undecided. This leakage helps explain why the bloc’s ceiling remains constrained outside the Channel 14 universe.

Bloc Trends

Bloc arithmetic continues to diverge sharply by pollster. Across four of the five polls, the Bennett Bloc consistently clusters in the high 50s to low 60s, often within striking distance of a governing majority, while the Netanyahu Bloc generally ranges in the low 50s. Filber remains the clear outlier, showing a decisive Netanyahu Bloc advantage (66–43), reinforcing its distinct methodological and ideological profile. Meanwhile, the Arab Bloc holds steady at roughly 9–11 seats across all polls, functioning as a fixed variable rather than a swing factor.

Eyes on the Threshold

The threshold zone is once again the most consequential arena. Religious Zionism, Blue & White, Miluimnikim, and Balad repeatedly flirt with or fall below the threshold, depending on the poll. Small movements here carry outsized bloc consequences. The Maariv scenario test illustrates this clearly: when Gantz and Hendel exit and Smotrich consolidates with Ben Gvir, the seat changes are modest at the party level but meaningful in aggregate. This reinforces a familiar pattern: the election will not be decided by headline parties, but by who survives the bottom tier.

Against this backdrop, the Gantz question becomes less theoretical and more strategic. With a plurality of voters, across both coalition and opposition, favoring his exit from politics, and only limited support for independent continuation, the data suggest that further fragmentation serves no bloc interest. Whether through withdrawal or a clear alignment choice, indecision now carries a higher systemic cost than any single move he could make.

What to Expect Next

Expect intensified messaging aimed less at ideological persuasion and more at reassurance—competence, governability, and threshold discipline. Parties hovering near the cutoff will face growing pressure to merge, withdraw, or clearly signal where their voters should land.

Poll #Broadcaster / PublisherPollsterFieldwork DatesSample SizeMargin of Error
Poll 1MaarivLazar/PanelsJan 14–15, 2026501±4.4%
Poll 2Channel 12MidgamJan 15, 2026504±4.4%
Poll 3Yisrael HayomKantarJan 14, 2026600±4.0%
Poll 4Zman YisraelTatikaJan 14–15, 2026500±4.4%
Poll 5Channel 14FilberJan 15, 2026604
Party / PollMaarivChannel 12Yisrael HayomZman YisraelChannel 14
Likud2626272735
Bennett 20262222231911
Shas88101011
Democrats10129811
Yisrael Beitenu8881010
Otzma Yehudit109977
Yesh Atid99895
Yashar118976
United Torah Judaism (UTJ)78789
Raam45566
Hadash–Taal55555
Religious Zionism2.6%2.9%2.9%04
Balad2.1%1.7%1.9%02.1%
Blue & White2.3%2.4%3%42.8%
Miluimnikim2.6%1.4%2.7%00
Bennett Bloc6059575743
Netanyahu Bloc5151535266
Arab Bloc910101111
PollQuestion CategoryQuestion / ScenarioResult
MaarivElectoral ScenarioIf Gantz and Hendel do not run, and Smotrich runs with Ben GvirResults in seats: Ben Gvir +2, Eisenkot +2, Bennett +1, Likud −1, Shas −1, Yisrael Beitenu −1, Yesh Atid −2
Channel 12PM SuitabilityNetanyahu vs BennettNetanyahu 38%, Bennett 35%, Don’t know 27%
Channel 12PM SuitabilityNetanyahu vs LapidNetanyahu 40%, Don’t know 36%, Lapid 24%
Channel 12PM SuitabilityNetanyahu vs EisenkotNetanyahu 41%, Don’t know 32%, Eisenkot 27%
Channel 12Trend NoteWeek-over-week change (PM suitability)Bennett +1% vs Netanyahu; Lapid −2% vs Netanyahu; Eisenkot −3% vs Netanyahu
Channel 12Leadership FutureWhat should Benny Gantz do? (General sample)Retire 42%; Join opposition 19%; Don’t know 19%; Join Likud 13%; Run independently 7%
Channel 12Leadership FutureWhat should Benny Gantz do? (Coalition voters)Retire 39%; Join Likud 25%
Channel 12Leadership FutureWhat should Benny Gantz do? (Opposition voters)Retire 47%; Join opposition 37%
Channel 12Vote TransfersWhere former Netanyahu-bloc voters are goingBennett 2026 42.2%; Undecided 25%; Yisrael Beitenu 14.1%; Yashar 14.1%; Miluimnikim 4.6%
Channel 14PM SuitabilityWho is most suitable for Prime Minister?Netanyahu 53%; Bennett 19%; Eisenkot 11%; Lapid 9%; Lieberman 6%; Gantz 2%

Issue Trends

Across all five polls from last week, one pattern is now unmistakable: Naftali Bennett has consolidated the opposition lane, while the rest of the opposition field continues to fragment.

In the four mainstream pollsters (Maariv, Channel 12, Channel 13, Zman Yisrael), Bennett is either tied with Likud or running within striking distance. His party ranges from 21 to 24 seats, while Likud ranges from 25 to 28. This is not the pattern of a dominant incumbent, rather it is the pattern of a contested leadership race.

Channel 14 stands apart, giving Likud 35 and Bennett just 13, but that poll is the outlier rather than the trend. In the other four polls, Bennett is effectively the alternative prime minister in waiting.

This is reinforced by the only leadership question asked this week. In Channel 14’s suitability question, Netanyahu leads with 53%, but Bennett is second at 26%, more than double Eisenkot and far ahead of Lapid, Lieberman, or Gantz. Even in a right-leaning sample, Bennett is the only opposition figure who registers as a serious governing option.

The issue environment is also turning sharply negative for the coalition. In Maariv, 68% of Israelis fear political violence before the next election. That is not a sign of political stability, it is a warning that the public sees polarization spiraling out of control.

Meanwhile, in Channel 13, 39% of Israelis say their economic situation has worsened, compared to just 10% who say it improved. This creates exactly the kind of climate in which incumbents struggle and challengers gain traction.

One of the most politically potent data points this week is the soldiers’ benefits question from Channel 13. When asked which camp would better protect the rights of regular soldiers and reservists, 46% of the public chose the Bennett-led opposition versus just 32% for the Netanyahu-led coalition. Among respondents with an opinion, the margin widens dramatically to 58%–42% in Bennett’s favor. This is not a marginal issue: in the middle of a prolonged war and a reserve-duty crisis, this cuts directly into the coalition’s traditional advantage on security. The fact that voters now associate Bennett and the opposition, not the government, with better treatment of those serving is a warning sign for the coalition and a strategic opening for Bennett’s camp.

Bloc Trends

The bloc numbers tell a story of two rival governing coalitions, both hovering around the 61-seat line. Four of the five polls show a remarkably tight picture: Netanyahu’s bloc stuck in the low-50s, Bennett’s bloc sitting in the high-50s.

The coalition is no longer expanding. Likud is stable but capped, and the ultra-Orthodox parties are already near saturation. Even Otzma Yehudit’s gains simply reshuffle seats within the bloc rather than creating new ones.

By contrast, Bennett’s bloc is structurally broader. It contains the entire secular center-left (Yesh Atid, Democrats, Yashar), and a growing national-liberal right (Bennett and Yisrael Beitenu). This gives Bennett more coalition arithmetic paths than Netanyahu.

Eyes on the Threshold

This election will almost certainly be decided below the 3.25% line. Four parties are floating dangerously close to extinction.

This matters because every wasted right-wing vote hurt Netanyahu twice. If Smotrich or an additional party like Noam runs and fails, those votes disappear entirely, shrinking the bloc even if Likud remains strong.

On the Arab side, Balad remains a spoiler. If it runs and fails, the Arab bloc drops below 10. If it withdraws or merges, the Arab parties consolidate and that directly strengthens their blocking majority.

The opposition has mostly stabilized above the threshold with the exception of Hendel’s party who is widely expected to merge or drop out before the final party lists are submitted, six weeks before the election date.

What to Expect Next

Unless something dramatic changes, the campaign is heading toward a binary referendum: Netanyahu vs Bennett, with everyone else reduced to bloc math.

Bennett is now running not as a protest candidate, but as a government-in-waiting. He leads the opposition in seats, he leads it in coalition arithmetic, and he leads it in perceived competence on security and reservist issues.

Netanyahu still has the largest single party, but his bloc is capped, brittle, and hostage to threshold failures.

The next phase of the race will revolve around three things: Whether Bennett can keep pulling soft Likud voters as economic and security anxiety rises, whether Smotrich & others splinter wasted votes, and whether the Arab parties are able to pull together a merger into a joint list.

PollBroadcaster/
Publisher
PollsterField DatesSampleMargin of Error
1MaarivLazar / Panels7–8 Jan 20265034.4%
2Channel 12Midgam8 Jan 20265034.4%
3Channel 13Maagar Mochot7 Jan 20265694.1%
4Zman YisraelTatika7–8 Jan 20265004.4%
5Channel 14Filber8 Jan 2026506Not reported
PartyMaarivChannel 12Channel 13Zman YisraelChannel 14
Likud (Netanyhau)2725262835
Bennett 20262221242113
Shas (Deri)88101011
Democrats (Golan)10121098
Yisrael Beitenu (Lieberman)988109
Otzma Yehudit (Ben Gvir)981077
Yesh Atid (Lapid)897106
Yashar (Eisenkot)108868
United Torah Judaism77789
Ra’am (Abbas)55565
Hadash–Ta’al55555
Religious Zionism (Smotrich)2.2%42.7%04
Balad1.8%1.6%2.7%02.1%
Blue & White (Gantz)2.2%0.6%2.7%01.4%
Miluimnikim (Hendel)2.7%2.5%1.9%0
Bloc Totals
Bennett Bloc5958575644
Netanyahu Bloc5152535366
Arab Bloc1010101110
Fear of Political Violence Before the Next Election (Maariv)
ResponseCoalition VotersOpposition VotersUndecidedTotal
Worried64%75%60%68%
Not worried30%21%25%25%
Don’t know7%4%15%7%
Who Will Better Protect Soldiers’ Rights? (Channel 13)
ResponseGeneral SampleOpinion Holders
Bennett-led Opposition46%58%
Netanyahu-led Coalition32%42%
Don’t know22%
Personal Economic Situation (Channel 13)
ResponseGeneral SampleOpinion Holders
Improved10%10%
Worsened37%39%
Stayed the same49%51%
Don’t know4%
Suitability for Prime Minister (Channel 14)
CandidateSupport
Benjamin Netanyahu53%
Naftali Bennett26%
Gadi Eisenkot12%
Yair Lapid4%
Avigdor Lieberman4%
Benny Gantz1%

Issue Trends

Bennett continues to emerge as the principal alternative to Netanyahu in both head-to-head and multi-candidate polling. In the Channel 12 survey, both Lapid and Eizenkot record matchups in which the combined share of respondents selecting “neither candidate” or “don’t know” exceeds their individual support against Netanyahu, underscoring their continued difficulty in consolidating opposition voters.

The fallout from revelations of alleged betrayal within Netanyahu’s office, following reports that senior advisers received funds from Qatar, has remained a dominant media issue. The Walla poll finds that 50% of Israelis agree that advisers promoting Qatari interests during wartime constitutes an act of betrayal. Agreement rises to over 70% among opposition voters, while standing at around 30% among coalition voters.

Bloc Trends

The Netanyahu Bloc posts a particularly strong showing in the Channel 14 poll, reaching 66 seats, compared with 49–52 seats in the other five polls published or broadcast this week. The Bennett Bloc peaks at 61 seats in the Walla poll in contrast to 44 seats in the Channel 14 survey. The remaining four polls cluster closer to the Walla result, placing the Bennett Bloc in the 57–59 seat range.

Shas’s 11-seat result in the Channel 14 poll and the Democrats’ 11 seats in the Channel 12 poll are the only instances this week in which a party other than Likud or Bennett exceeds ten seats.

Eyes on the Threshold

Hendel clears the electoral threshold in two polls, while Smotrich does so in only one survey (Channel 14). As in recent weeks, Balad and Blue and White (Gantz) fail to cross the threshold in any poll.

What to Expect Next

With the calendar turning, Israel has now entered 2026, an election year. Fewer than 300 days remain until the scheduled election on 27 October 2026. Ongoing Knesset deliberations over the state budget in the Appropriations Committee and the coalition’s draft legislation on military service in the Defense & Foreign Affairs Committee remain potential flashpoints that could precipitate an early election.

PollBroadcaster / PublisherPollsterFieldwork DateSample SizeMargin of Error
Poll 1WallaLazar / Panels28 Dec 2025500±4.3%
Poll 2Channel 12Midgam1 Jan 2026507±4.4%
Poll 3Channel 11Kantar28 Dec 2025N/AN/A
Poll 4MaarivLazar / Panels1 Jan 2026500±4.4%
Poll 5Zman YisraelTatika31 Dec 2025 – 1 Jan 2026500±4.4%
Poll 6Channel 14Filber1 Jan 2026736N/A
Party / BlocWallaChannel 12Channel 11MaarivZman YisraelChannel 14
Likud (Netanyahu)252625272835
Bennett 2026202120192211
Yisrael Beiteinu (Lieberman)99910109
Shas (Deri)991081011
Democrats (Golan)911910810
Yashar (Eizenkot)10891078
Yesh Atid (Lapid)91089106
Otzma Yehudit (Ben Gvir)8991067
United Torah Judaism777788
Ra’am (Abbas)655565
Hadash–Ta’al455555
Religious Zionism (Smotrich)2.2%2.9%2.1%2.8%05
Miluimnikim (Hendel)42.7%43%0
Balad1.8%1.8%2.2%2%02.1%
Blue & White (Gantz)2%2%2.8%2%00.9%
Bennett Bloc615959585744
Netanyahu Bloc495151525266
Arab Bloc101010101110
PollQuestionFindings
Lazar/PanelsDo you agree that Netanyahu advisers promoting Qatari interests during the war constitutes an act of betrayal?50% of Israelis agree. Among opposition voters, agreement exceeds 70%; among coalition voters it is around 30%.
MidgamSuitability for Prime Minister: Netanyahu vs. BennettNetanyahu 42%, Bennett 34%, Neither 19%, Don’t know 5%.
MidgamSuitability for Prime Minister: Netanyahu vs. LapidNetanyahu 45%, Neither/Don’t know 33%, Lapid 22%.
MidgamSuitability for Prime Minister: Netanyahu vs. EizenkotNetanyahu 41%, Neither/Don’t know 31%, Eizenkot 28%.
FilberSuitability for Prime Minister (multi-candidate question)Netanyahu 54%, Bennett 23%, Eizenkot 12%, Lapid 5%, Lieberman 5%, Gantz 1%.

A Leader with Cross Bloc Credibility

Naftali Bennett performs competitively against Benjamin Netanyahu on most leadership metrics across the general sample in this special election poll for Channel 12, conducted by Midgam, which also takes a deep dive into Bennett voters.

Bennett is perceived as more trustworthy, more attentive to “people like me,” and better suited to addressing social divisions and the cost of living. Netanyahu maintains an advantage on national security and a narrow edge on the question of who would perform better as prime minister, but these gaps are smaller than those seen in previous election cycles.

This balance helps explain Bennett’s ability to draw support from voters who do not share a single ideological home. Among his voters, however, the picture is clearer: over 70% self-identify as right or center right, with the remainder clustering in the center. There is virtually no left-wing identification within his electorate. Bennett’s appeal, then, is not post-ideological. It is firmly right, but with softer edges than the traditional right-wing bloc.

Taken together, the data suggest that Bennett’s strength lies less in ideological alignment and more in personal positioning. He is seen as an empathetic competent, pragmatic, and comparatively unifying, natural leader that can pull votes from both blocs.

Bennett vs Netanyahu Deep Dive Polling Data

Pollster: Midgam for Channel 12
Fieldwork: December 16–17, 2025
Sample size: 505 respondents + boosted sample of 302 Bennett voters
Margin of error: ±4.4% (general), ±5.7% (Bennett voters)


Question 1: Bennett’s Performance as Prime Minister

RatingGeneral SampleCoalition VotersOpposition VotersIdentify as RightIdentify as Center–LeftIntend to Vote Bennett
Very good11%4%19%9%15%33%
Fairly good36%18%61%28%51%61%
Total good47%22%80%37%66%94%
Fairly bad20%27%13%23%12%3%
Very bad26%47%2%34%12%2%
Total bad46%74%15%57%24%5%
Don’t know7%4%5%6%10%1%

Question 2: Bennett vs. Netanyahu

Summary: Bennett vs. Netanyahu

CriterionNaftali BennettBenjamin NetanyahuDon’t know
More trustworthy46%37%17%
Will better care for people like me41%28%31%
Will better ensure national security38%40%22%
Will better handle the economy and cost of living45%30%25%
Will better address internal social divisions47%26%27%
Would perform better as Prime Minister40%44%16%

Who is more trustworthy?

ResponseGeneralCoalitionOppositionRightCenter–LeftBennett Voters
Naftali Bennett46%19%79%33%72%96%
Benjamin Netanyahu37%71%5%53%9%2%
Don’t know17%10%16%14%19%2%

Who will better care for people like me?

ResponseGeneralCoalitionOppositionRightCenter–LeftBennett Voters
Bennett41%17%71%31%61%93%
Netanyahu28%56%5%41%8%1%
Don’t know31%27%24%28%31%6%

Who will better ensure national security?

ResponseGeneralCoalitionOppositionRightCenter–LeftBennett Voters
Bennett38%13%71%26%62%82%
Netanyahu40%73%10%58%12%12%
Don’t know22%14%19%16%26%6%

Who will better handle the economy and cost of living?

ResponseGeneralCoalitionOppositionRightCenter–LeftBennett Voters
Bennett45%19%77%33%69%90%
Netanyahu30%59%6%43%10%5%
Don’t know25%22%17%24%21%5%

Who will better address internal social divisions?

ResponseGeneralCoalitionOppositionRightCenter–LeftBennett Voters
Bennett47%22%76%35%71%93%
Netanyahu26%50%5%37%8%1%
Don’t know27%28%19%28%21%6%

Who would perform better as Prime Minister?

ResponseGeneralCoalitionOppositionRightCenter–LeftBennett Voters
Bennett40%12%74%24%70%81%
Netanyahu44%81%10%63%12%11%
Don’t know16%7%16%13%18%8%

Question 3: Political Scenarios and Bennett

Summary – General Sample: Political Scenarios and Bennett

ScenarioTotal StrengthenTotal WeakenNo ChangeDon’t Know
Running with Gadi Eisenkot and the “Yeshar” party37%21%31%11%
Running with Yoaz Hendel and the Reservists Party33%22%33%12%
Running with Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beiteinu)33%28%30%9%
Ruling out sitting in a government with Netanyahu32%30%27%11%
Running with Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid)29%32%29%10%
Agreeing to form a government with Netanyahu23%41%25%11%
Government with Ra’am support or abstention (Mansour Abbas)20%39%28%13%
Ayelet Shaked joins party leadership19%35%34%12%

Running with Gadi Eisenkot (Yashar)

ResponseGeneralCoalitionOppositionRightCenter–LeftBennett Voters
Very strengthen18%8%33%11%30%42%
Somewhat strengthen19%10%31%16%27%31%
Somewhat weaken7%7%7%7%4%9%
Very weaken14%24%4%18%8%2%
No change31%40%19%37%21%10%
Don’t know11%11%6%11%10%6%

Running together with Yair Lapid and Yesh Atid

ResponseGeneralCoalitionOppositionRightCenter–LeftBennett Voters
Very much strengthen12%6%20%7%21%22%
Somewhat strengthen17%5%30%10%31%26%
Somewhat weaken7%7%10%10%3%19%
Very much weaken25%41%10%34%9%16%
No change29%33%25%31%28%13%
Don’t know10%8%5%8%8%4%

Running together with Avigdor Lieberman and Yisrael Beiteinu

ResponseGeneralCoalitionOppositionRightCenter–LeftBennett Voters
Very much strengthen15%8%26%16%15%33%
Somewhat strengthen18%11%25%16%18%33%
Somewhat weaken10%10%9%8%10%12%
Very much weaken18%27%9%22%18%6%
No change30%36%23%30%30%13%
Don’t know9%8%8%8%9%3%

Ayelet Shaked joins the party leadership

ResponseGeneralCoalitionOppositionRightCenter–LeftBennett Voters
Very much strengthen6%8%6%7%6%12%
Somewhat strengthen13%14%14%15%13%26%
Somewhat weaken14%8%21%9%14%16%
Very much weaken21%20%22%21%21%15%
No change34%41%29%37%34%19%
Don’t know12%9%8%11%12%12%

Running together with Yoaz Hendel and the Reservists Party

ResponseGeneralCoalitionOppositionRightCenter–LeftBennett Voters
Very much strengthen15%11%23%13%15%33%
Somewhat strengthen18%11%27%14%17%37%
Somewhat weaken7%5%11%6%7%8%
Very much weaken15%18%7%16%15%2%
No change33%42%23%38%33%11%
Don’t know12%13%9%13%13%9%

Forming a government with support or abstention by Ra’am (Mansour Abbas)

ResponseGeneralCoalitionOppositionRightCenter–LeftBennett Voters
Very much strengthen11%7%17%8%11%10%
Somewhat strengthen9%4%16%5%9%16%
Somewhat weaken9%8%12%8%9%20%
Very much weaken30%40%22%39%30%29%
No change28%31%23%27%28%13%
Don’t know13%10%10%13%13%12%

Agreeing to form a government with Benjamin Netanyahu

ResponseGeneralCoalitionOppositionRightCenter–LeftBennett Voters
Very much strengthen8%15%3%11%8%6%
Somewhat strengthen15%23%4%20%15%10%
Somewhat weaken9%8%13%10%9%18%
Very much weaken32%9%61%18%32%45%
No change25%36%12%31%25%14%
Don’t know11%9%7%10%11%7%

Ruling out sitting in a government with Benjamin Netanyahu

ResponseGeneralCoalitionOppositionRightCenter–LeftBennett Voters
Very much strengthen18%5%32%10%18%33%
Somewhat strengthen14%8%23%13%14%24%
Somewhat weaken9%10%9%9%8%16%
Very much weaken21%32%11%27%21%6%
No change27%36%19%31%28%14%
Don’t know11%9%6%10%11%7%

Question 4: Perceived ideology of Bennett

Ideological PositionGeneral SampleCoalition VotersOpposition VotersIdentify as RightIdentify as Center–LeftIntend to Vote Bennett (incl. boost)
Far right5%6%5%5%4%3%
Right31%24%42%35%26%44%
Center-right19%17%24%22%16%40%
Total right-wing55%47%71%62%46%87%
Center13%10%18%9%23%11%
Center-left12%19%6%13%11%1%
Left8%9%3%7%11%1%
Far left6%10%0%7%6%0%
Total center–left39%48%27%36%51%13%
Don’t know6%5%2%2%3%0%

Question 5: Bennett Voters

Certainty of voting for Bennett

ResponsePercent
Absolutely certain31%
Fairly certain57%
Still undecided12%

Main reason for supporting Bennett

ReasonPercent
No better alternative50%
Bennett is the right choice33%
Only one who can defeat Netanyahu16%
Don’t know1%

Self-Identified Ideological Position (Bennett Voters)

Ideological PositionPercent
Far right3%
Right32%
Center-right36%
Total right-wing71%
Center23%
Center-left6%
Left0%
Far left0%
Total center–left29%
Refused0%

Vote in November 1, 2022 election

PartyPercent
National Unity (Gantz)36%
Yesh Atid (Lapid)26%
Likud (Netanyahu)13%
Religious Zionism / Otzma Yehudit (Smotrich/Ben Gvir)6%
Yisrael Beiteinu (Lieberman)6%
Jewish Home (Ayelet Shaked)5%
Labor 1%
UTJ1%
Meretz1%
Other1%
Did not vote (no right)2%
Did not vote (had right)2%