Survey Finds Most Israeli Women Feel Unrepresented by Party Leaders in Knesset 25
A recent survey conducted by the Women’s Lobby for 2026 polled over 1,000 Israeli women aged 18 and above on which party leader best represents women's interests. A majority of 59% responded that none of the leaders adequately represent them. Among those who chose a leader, Yair Lapid received the highest approval at 15%, followed by Benjamin Netanyahu and Naftali Bennett, each with 11%, and Gadi Eizenkot at 9%.
When asked to identify female Knesset members who advance women's interests, 46.4% again said none. Merav Michaeli led with 22.4%, followed by Merav Ben Ari (15.5%), Efrat Rayten (13.8%), Tali Gottlieb (13.4%), Penina Tamano-Shata (9.8%), Merav Cohen (9.7%), and Naama Lazimi (9.5%). Voting patterns showed women tended to support female politicians aligned with their political camp: Michaeli, Lazimi, Ben Ari, and Rayten among Democratic voters; Gottlieb among Likud and Otzma Yehudit supporters; and Limor Son Har-Melech and Orit Strook among National Union voters.
Despite these preferences, dissatisfaction with women's representation in the Knesset was widespread across the political spectrum. Supporters of Likud (48%), Israel Beiteinu (44%), Otzma Yehudit (42%), Shas (41%), Bennett’s faction (35%), Yesh Atid (32%), Eizenkot (24%), and Democrats (10%) expressed discontent.
Respondents highlighted key issues they expect parties to address, including cost of living (74%), national security (61%), ultra-Orthodox conscription to the IDF (28%), gender equality in the workforce (18%), and combating violence against women (17%). The survey also revealed that only about 11% of Israeli women oppose women serving in combat roles if they meet unit requirements, with opposition highest among Haredi women (64%) and lowest among secular women (4%).
Galit Zinger, CEO of the Women’s Lobby, emphasized the survey’s role in informing policymakers about women’s priorities, noting women’s significant electoral power yet underrepresentation in leadership. She called on all parties to incorporate these findings into their agendas.
