Khaberni - A poll on Friday showed that 52% of Israelis oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's candidacy - who is wanted by the International Criminal Court - for the upcoming elections scheduled for 2026.
According to the poll results published by Israel's Channel 12, 41% of Israelis believe that Netanyahu should run in the next election.
Meanwhile, 7% of those surveyed abstained from taking a position on Netanyahu’s candidacy, who announced about a week ago his intention to run in the next election.
The survey indicated that half of the right-wing camp's supporters do not know who could succeed Netanyahu in leading the camp if he decides not to run.
The channel did not mention the entity that conducted the survey, or more details about its results and the other questions directed to those surveyed.
Earlier on Friday, another poll - the results of which were published by Maariv newspaper - showed a decrease in Netanyahu's coalition in the Knesset (parliament) by two seats compared to last week, reaching 50 seats, if elections were held today.
According to the law in Israel, forming the government requires the support of at least 61 members from the 120 members of the Knesset.
The survey results mentioned that despite the weakness of the government coalition, the opposition camp secured 59 seats without achieving a majority, while Arab parties won 11 seats.
The opposition parties confirm their refusal to enter any alliance with the Arab parties to form a government.
Last week, the official broadcasting authority talked about Netanyahu's plans to advance the general election date to June 2026, instead of November 3 of the same year, with no official announcement yet.
The government in Israel can, upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister, announce the dissolution of the Knesset and head to early elections, and the decision requires the approval of the Israeli president.
Netanyahu has held the position of Prime Minister in five non-consecutive terms, becoming the longest-serving in this position in the history of Israel, despite many corruption cases that have been pursuing him for years.
In addition to his local trial, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him on November 21, 2024, for charges of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
