Israel polls show Likud losing ground to opposition before 2026 election

Recent opinion polls in Israel ahead of the scheduled Knesset election in October 2026 show a sharp decline for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party. One poll projected Likud at about 21 seats, far below the roughly 61 seats expected for opposition parties, enough to form a government.

The surveys also reveal deep societal division over the Gaza war: only about a quarter of respondents believe Israel will achieve victory, while a majority favor ending the conflict. A large share of voters supports a broad national‑unity government, but many reject a continued role for Netanyahu.

Analysts note that a potential unified Arab list and the rise of right‑wing and religious parties could further complicate coalition building.