Poll Finds Most Israelis Want Netanyahu to Quit Politics

A new Friday-night poll published on June 19, 2026, shows broad public opposition to Benjamin Netanyahu running in the next election. According to the survey, 59% think Netanyahu should not stand again and should retire, compared with 33% who want him to run and 8% who said they do not know. Even among voters aligned with Netanyahu’s bloc, 11% said he should not contest the election.

The poll also asked who should lead Likud after Netanyahu. Nir Barkat led with 18% support, followed by Justice Minister Yariv Levin with 9%, Defense Minister Israel Katz with 7%, and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana with 6%. Former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen, once seen as a possible Netanyahu successor, received 4%. Economy Minister Eli Cohen was near the bottom, and former defense minister Yoav Gallant finished last with 1%. Another 17% answered that they did not know.

On the Iran deal signed between the United States and Iran, 67% of respondents said it is bad for Israel, only 9% said it is good for Israel, and 24% did not know. Among coalition voters, 67% said the deal is bad for Israel, while 79% of opposition voters said the same.

Respondents also graded Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump on handling the confrontation with Iran and the agreement. Netanyahu got poor marks from 56%, versus 37% who rated him positively. Trump fared worse, with 68% calling his handling bad and 25% saying it was good. In addition, 45% of Israelis believe Iran will eventually obtain nuclear weapons, compared with 31% who think it will not and 24% who were unsure.