Early Polls Show Tight Race Ahead of 2026 Israeli Elections

Initial polls released following the deadline for party list submissions indicate a near-even split between the main blocs in the upcoming 2026 Israeli elections. Surveys conducted by Channels 11 and 13 show a tie between the competing blocs, while a poll by Channel 12 suggests a lead for the bloc associated with Benny Gantz. These early indicators suggest a highly competitive electoral landscape as parties finalize their slates.

The political maneuvering continues as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reportedly obstructs the appointment of a new police commissioner while simultaneously advancing the promotion of the individual responsible for the "readiness squads," a type of civilian security unit. This dual action highlights ongoing tensions and strategic moves within the government.

Further complicating the political scene, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant addressed a recent report alleging that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received intelligence warnings days before the October 7th Hamas attacks but did not update the military or the Shin Bet security agency. Gallant stated that Netanyahu's schedule and records do not corroborate these claims, adding another layer of controversy to the pre-attack intelligence failures.