Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with former U.S. President Donald Trump on August 15, 2026, in a bid to bolster support for his reelection campaign, according to Israeli media reports. The meeting came as a new Maariv poll showed Netanyahu's coalition bloc would win only 49 seats in the Knesset, far short of the 61 seats needed for a majority.
The poll, published on August 14, 2026, indicated a significant drop in support for the coalition, which currently holds 64 seats in the 120-seat parliament. The opposition bloc, led by Yair Lapid, was projected to win 61 seats, according to the same poll.
Netanyahu's meeting with Trump, held at Trump Tower in New York, was described by Israeli officials as a "friendly and warm" encounter. Trump, who has maintained close ties with Netanyahu since his presidency, expressed support for Israel's security and sovereignty, but did not explicitly endorse Netanyahu's candidacy.
Political analysts suggest that Netanyahu is seeking to leverage his relationship with Trump to energize his base ahead of the upcoming elections, which are expected to be held in early 2027. However, the poll numbers indicate a challenging path for Netanyahu, who faces ongoing corruption trials and a fractured right-wing bloc.
The Maariv poll also found that 52% of respondents believed Netanyahu should step down due to his legal troubles, while 38% thought he should remain in office. The election campaign is expected to intensify in the coming weeks, with both blocs vying for undecided voters.
