The latest KAN News poll shows Gadi Eisenkot rising to 21 seats while Likud and Naftali Bennett's Together party fall to 23 and 17 seats respectively. Public opposition to the US–Iran MoU is high (55%), and 70% say Iran remains a threat. Though the governing coalition has weakened, Benjamin Netanyahu still leads on personal suitability for prime minister (41% vs. 33% for Eisenkot).
KAN Poll: Eisenkot Climbs as Netanyahu and Bennett Lose Ground After US–Iran MoU
Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yashar party, holds a press conference with the party’s new member Yoram Cohen in Tel Aviv, May 5, 2026. (photo credit: FLASH90)
A new poll from Israeli public broadcaster KAN News finds Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot gaining momentum after the announcement of a US–Iran Memorandum of Understanding, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former PM Naftali Bennett have slipped in public support.
Seat Distribution: The survey places Yashar at 21 Knesset seats, Likud at 23 seats and Bennett's Together party at 17 seats. The coalition bloc now holds 52 seats, down from earlier polls, while the anti-Netanyahu opposition bloc totals 57 seats.
Public Reaction to the US–Iran MoU: The poll attributes these shifts to public concern over the announced deal and renewed worries about Iran. Fifty-five percent of respondents said they oppose the US–Iran agreement, 18% support it and 27% are undecided. A large majority—70%—said they still view Iran as a threat despite the new agreement taking shape.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a press conferene at the Prime Minister's office in Jerursalem, June 15, 2026 (credit: OLIVIER FITOUSSI/POOL)
Trends and Context: The results mark a change from a Maariv poll two weeks earlier, which gave Together 22 seats. That represents a five-seat decline in two weeks and an 11-seat drop from the party's peak, a slide that has prompted debate about Bennett's political future and potential realignments within the opposition.
Leadership and Suitability: When asked who should lead the opposition in the next election, respondents favored Eisenkot over Bennett, 32% to 22%, while 31% said neither should lead. On personal suitability for the prime ministership, Netanyahu remains ahead with 41% compared with 33% for Eisenkot; 26% said neither candidate is suitable.
What Bennett Said: In a 103FM interview, Bennett was asked whether he would consider stepping aside for Eisenkot. He cited his record as prime minister and education minister and emphasized his priority of unseating the current government:
"I can say that in any case, I will do anything in the world to replace this very bad government. I will not let ego be a factor."
Bottom Line: The KAN poll suggests rising support for Eisenkot amid security concerns tied to the US–Iran MoU, while Netanyahu retains an advantage on personal suitability even as his coalition loses ground in seat counts.
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