Netanyahu’s Likud Party Gains Traction in Polls Post-Gaza Conflict

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party are enjoying a boost in popularity among voters following the recent conclusion of the war in Gaza, which ended on a victorious note and included a deal that resulted in the return of 20 living prisoners.

According to a recent poll by Times of Israel’s Hebrew sister site Zuman Israel, if elections were held today, Netanyahu’s Likud party would secure 34 seats. This represents a notable increase in support for the prime minister after the hostages’ release and the ceasefire in Gaza. It’s the best polling result for Likud since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

In contrast, Naftali Bennett’s new political party, seen as the main contender against Netanyahu, would only win 20 seats based on current polling.

Furthermore, conservative Channel 14 reported that a significant majority of Israelis favor Netanyahu as their choice for prime minister in the next election.

A report from Jewish News Syndicate indicates that polls show 58% of Israelis believe Netanyahu is suitable for the role of prime minister, while 22% back his closest competitor, Naftali Bennett. Former minister Gadi Eisenkot garners 11% support, while Yair Lapid and Avigdor Liberman each receive 4%, and Benny Gantz has 1% backing. The same poll suggests that if elections were to take place today, Netanyahu’s coalition would win a total of 66 seats, surpassing their 2022 election results, while the opposition would secure 43 seats, and Arab parties that oppose Zionism would take 11 seats.

Despite facing criticism at home and in international media, Netanyahu’s perceived effectiveness as a wartime leader was acknowledged recently by President Donald Trump, who spoke in favor of him during a congressional address.

The next election in Israel is set to take place in about a year. Netanyahu has been serving as prime minister since 2009, with intermittent breaks in 2021 and 2022.