Full Breakdown
Netanyahu's Support Erodes in Israel and the United States, New Polls Show
5/20/2026, 10:40:58 PM
Domestic Poll Shows Netanyahu's Bloc Losing Its Majority
A Direct Polls survey conducted on May 19, 2026 for i24NEWS Hebrew found that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition and the opposition each hold exactly 60 seats in the 120-member Knesset, leaving the coalition short of the 61 seats needed to form a government without additional partners. Likud remains the largest party with 30 seats; coalition partners Shas (10), United Torah Judaism (8), Otzma Yehudit (8) and the Religious Zionist Party (4) together total 60 seats. On the opposition side, the breakthrough Yashar party holds 17 seats, Together 15, the Democratic Party 9, Yisrael Beiteinu 8, Ra’am 6 and Hadash-Ta’al 5. Four parties—Balad, the Economic Party, the Reservists Party and Blue and White—failed to clear the electoral threshold. The poll also notes Gadi Eisenkot as the leader of the newly identified “Change Bloc.”
U.S. Public Opinion Shifts Against Further Aid to Israel
A New York Times/Siena poll cited by Senator Bernie Sanders indicates that 57 % of Americans oppose additional U.S. economic and military assistance to Israel, while 37 % support it. The poll follows a broader decline in support for U.S. involvement in the February 28 war against Iran, which has been linked to rising gas prices and a drop in President Donald Trump’s approval to 37 %. Under a 2016 ten-year agreement, the United States committed $38 billion in military aid to Israel through 2028, including $5 billion for the Iron Dome system, representing roughly 16 % of Israel’s military budget.
Official Statements and Legislative Action
Senator Bernie Sanders used his X account to urge Congress to “listen to the American people” and to stop issuing “blank checks for war criminals like Benjamin Netanyahu.” He has filed three resolutions aimed at blocking nearly $660 million in arms sales to Israel. No official response from the Israeli government or the U.S. State Department is provided in the sources.
Criticism and Opposition
Sanders’ remarks label Netanyahu a “war criminal” and reflect growing criticism of continued U.S. support. In Israel, the opposition bloc’s composition—featuring new parties such as Yashar and Together alongside established groups like the Democratic Party and Yisrael Beiteinu—demonstrates a clear blocking front against the coalition’s agenda.
Data & Statistics
- Knesset seat distribution: coalition 60, opposition 60.
- Likud: 30 seats; Shas: 10; United Torah Judaism: 8; Otzma Yehudit: 8; Religious Zionist Party: 4.
- Opposition: Yashar 17; Together 15; Democratic Party 9; Yisrael Beiteinu 8; Ra’am 6; Hadash-Ta’al 5.
- U.S. public opinion: 57 % oppose, 37 % support further aid.
- U.S. aid commitment: $38 billion (2016-2028), $5 billion for Iron Dome, 16 % of Israel’s military budget.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Israeli poll’s reliability score is 44.15, while the U.S. poll’s reliability is not disclosed, limiting confidence in precise public-opinion figures. No Israeli official comment on the poll results is included.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as the leader of the so-called Change Bloc in the new data.” — Direct Polls report
- “Inside the coalition Likud remains the largest party in the Knesset with 30 seats.” — Direct Polls report
- “Congress should listen to the American people. No more blank checks for war criminals like Benjamin Netanyahu,” — Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator
- “According to a recent New York Times poll, 57% of Americans oppose the U.S. providing more economic and military support to Israel, while just 37% support,” — Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator
Implications and What’s Next
With the coalition lacking a clear majority, Israeli leaders must negotiate additional partners to form a government, a process that could be prolonged by the newly consolidated opposition. In Washington, Sanders’ resolutions may trigger congressional debate over the future of U.S. aid to Israel, potentially reshaping the $38 billion assistance package. Both developments could influence regional stability and the United States’ strategic posture in the Middle East.
