New Poll Shows Gadi Eisenkot Leading, Netanyahu's Likud Declining

A new Israeli election poll published by Walla News indicates a significant shift in the political landscape, with Gadi Eisenkot's 'Yashar!' party leading with 25 seats. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party has dropped to 21 seats in the same survey.

The poll also shows Naftali Bennett's 'Bayachad' party and Yair Lapid's 'Yesh Atid' party each securing 14 seats. Avigdor Lieberman's 'Yisrael Beiteinu' and Yair Golan's 'HaDemocratim' are tied with 9 seats each.

Among the ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism are projected to win 7 seats apiece. Itamar Ben-Gvir's 'Otzma Yehudit' also receives 7 seats, while Bezalel Smotrich's 'Religious Zionism' garners 5 seats.

Arab parties show mixed results, with a joint Arab list winning 7 seats and Ra'am, led by Mansour Abbas, receiving 5 seats. Ofer Winter's party is projected to win 4 seats.

Previous polls have shown different results, with a Kan News poll in August showing a tie between Likud and 'Yashar!' at 23 seats, and another in July placing 'Yashar!' ahead of Likud by one seat. The current poll suggests a continued close race between the major parties, with Eisenkot widening his lead over Likud. Bennett's 'Bayachad' party remains relatively stable with 14 seats.

In related commentary, Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity party, stated in July that his party has a public base that is "simply not aware of it," adding that he receives much public encouragement on the street.