Netanyahu’s Likud slumps to just 21 seats in new poll as internal rifts deepen

Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling Likud party faces a dramatic collapse in public support, according to a new poll showing the party holding just 21 parliamentary seats. The findings paint a troubling picture for the Prime Minister, who is grappling with mounting internal party divisions, ongoing tensions in the West Bank, and stalled ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.

The poll indicates that opposition leader Yitzhak Herzog’s centre-left bloc would command 61 seats, representing an 11 percentage point gap in potential support for the premiership between the two leaders. This substantial margin reflects growing public dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s leadership during a particularly challenging week for the government.

The Likud’s dramatic decline reflects a convergence of political pressures. Internal factional disputes within Netanyahu’s party have surfaced publicly, whilst security challenges in the occupied territories continue to dominate headlines. Simultaneously, ceasefire talks aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza have stalled, leaving families on both sides frustrated by the lack of progress.

These polling numbers suggest Netanyahu’s coalition strategy faces significant headwinds heading into the coming months. The substantial gap between government and opposition support underscores the volatility of Israeli politics and the challenge the Prime Minister faces in maintaining public confidence whilst managing competing pressures from his coalition partners, security concerns, and diplomatic negotiations.

Source: Maariv — Original article in Hebrew.