A recent Israeli television poll indicates a significant shift in the political landscape, showing the bloc backing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu neck and neck with opposition parties, both securing 53 seats each in the Knesset. This outcome leaves both sides short of the 61 seats required for a parliamentary majority. Arab parties are expected to control 14 seats, playing a potentially pivotal role in the formation of any future government.
This latest poll reveals a notable change from previous predictions, where the opposition was leading 57-48. The shift is largely credited to the emergence of two right-wing parties in the projected Knesset lineup: Ofer Winter’s People of Israel, which is expected to gain four seats, and the Religious Zionism-Zehut alliance, forecasted to secure six seats.
Netanyahu’s Likud party has slightly closed the gap with the leading opposition party Yashar, led by Gadi Eisenkot. Yashar is projected to capture 22 seats, while Likud is close behind with 21 seats. Meanwhile, the Joint List, primarily representing Arab interests, has increased its support to nine seats, reflecting a strengthening of its position.
The B’Yachad alliance, under the leadership of Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, has seen a decline, dropping to 12 seats. In contrast, several other parties, including Unity, Blue and White, and Zionist Home-The Reservists, appear to be falling short of the electoral threshold necessary to gain Knesset representation.
The poll, conducted with a sample size of 940 individuals, carries a margin of error of 3.4%, underscoring the fluidity and uncertainty within the current Israeli political landscape as parties vie for influence and control.