New Party's Surge Disrupts Netanyahu's Right-Wing Bloc in Polls

Recent opinion polls following the Knesset candidate list submissions reveal significant shifts in Israel's political landscape. A new survey published by Walla shows the "Yashar!" party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, leading with 25 seats. The Likud party follows with 21 seats. Naftali Bennett's "Achva" party is projected to win 14 seats, while Avigdor Lieberman's "Yisrael Beiteinu" and Yair Golan's "Democrats" each secure 9 seats.

Four political forces are expected to gain 7 seats apiece: Itamar Ben-Gvir's "Otzma Yehudit," "Yahadut HaTorah" under new chairman Yaakov Asher, Aryeh Deri's Shas, and the Joint List (Hadash-Ta'al and Balad). The "Religious Zionism" and "Zehut" alliance, led by Bezalel Smotrich and Moshe Feiglin, along with Mansour Abbas's Ra'am party, are each projected to receive 5 seats. Ofer Winter's "Amcha Yisrael" party is anticipated to cross the electoral threshold with 4 seats.

Meanwhile, the "Reservists" and "Economic Party" alliance is not expected to enter the Knesset, garnering only 2.8% of the vote. Benjamin Netanyahu's potential coalition, including Winter's party, is projected to secure 51 seats. The secular and national opposition bloc is forecast to win 57 seats, and Arab parties collectively 12 seats.

Winter's success is a notable development for the right-wing, as Netanyahu and Likud leaders had previously suggested his party would not pass the electoral threshold, potentially wasting right-wing votes. This poll offers Winter a platform to demonstrate his list's viability. Future developments will indicate whether Netanyahu will seek an alliance with Winter, fearing further losses within the right-wing bloc, or continue pressuring him to withdraw from the race.