Survey Shows Benny Gantz Gains More Public Trust Than Netanyahu Across All Categories

A recent "Ulpan Shishi" poll conducted on August 20, 2026, reveals that Benny Gantz enjoys significantly higher public trust than Benjamin Netanyahu in all key areas ahead of the upcoming Israeli elections. Approximately 60% of respondents prefer a candidate other than Netanyahu for prime minister, with only 34% supporting Netanyahu himself. Among undecided voters, 52% favor any candidate other than Netanyahu.

The poll, which surveyed a representative sample of 504 Israeli adults, assessed trust ratings on a scale of 1 to 10 for Netanyahu, Gantz, and Naftali Bennett across critical issues. Gantz scored highest in handling security (5.8), the economy and cost of living (5.1), education (5.3), protecting democracy (6.0), and leading Israel toward a better future (5.7). Netanyahu received the lowest scores, notably 4.8 on security and 3.7 on the economy and education.

Regarding political dynamics, 49% of respondents would vote for parties opposing Netanyahu, while 35% support current coalition parties. Notably, 60% of all respondents oppose reserving a Knesset slot for Netanyahu's son, Yair, on the Likud list.

The survey also explored attitudes toward Israel's identity. While 79% support Israel as the national home of the Jewish people and 75% endorse liberal values of equality, 67% back both principles simultaneously. Among voters leaning toward Arab parties, nearly half (46%) do not explicitly oppose Israel's Jewish character, with 24% supporting it and 22% unsure.

The poll was conducted online using stratified random sampling with a maximum margin of error of 4.4%.