For the first time since October 7, 2023 and the outbreak of the Israel-Iran war, Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party has reclaimed the top position in the Israeli Knesset, the country’s parliament, according to a new poll published by Israel’s Channel 13.

While the ruling party has returned as the largest political force in the country, the survey shows it still falls short of a parliamentary majority.

The poll, shows Likud gaining three additional seats since last week, bringing its total to 27. In contrast, the party of former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett saw its support drop from 27 to 24 seats.

The far-right Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) also saw a decline, falling from 9 to 6 seats. Overall, despite these fluctuations, the balance of power in the Knesset remains largely unchanged. The ruling coalition, as it stands, would command only 50 seats—well below the 61-seat threshold required to form a government.

Tied in third with 11 seats each are Yisrael Beiteinu and the Democratic Union, while Shas holds steady at 10. Religious Zionism failed to cross the electoral threshold and is left out of parliament.

Widespread Support for Iran War

Beyond party politics, the poll revealed strong public backing for Israel’s military campaign in Iran. A striking 75% of respondents expressed support for the war, compared to 17% who opposed it and 8% who said they were unsure.

When asked about the motivation behind Netanyahu’s decision to initiate the war, 64% attributed it to a “genuine desire to eliminate the nuclear and ballistic threat.” Another 28% believed the move was driven by “political considerations.”

Respondents also rated the leadership’s performance in managing the war effort. Netanyahu received a score of 7.65 out of 10, while the Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, scored a higher 8.31. The government’s handling of the home front earned a more moderate rating of 6.41.