New Poll Shows Opposition Party Leading Likud, Netanyahu Bloc Gains Strength

A new poll conducted by Lazar Research for the Maariv newspaper indicates that if Knesset elections were held today, Gadi Eisenkot's "Yashar" party would secure 25 seats, maintaining its leading position. In contrast, Benjamin Netanyahu's "Likud" party would fall to 19 seats, its lowest result in Maariv polls since May 29, 2025. The poll also shows "B'Yachad" receiving 14 seats, "Democratim" 10, Yisrael Beiteinu 9, and Otzma Yehudit 8. Other parties like "Yahadut HaTorah," Shas, and the Joint Arab List would each get 7 seats, Ra'am 5, and the "Tzionut Datit" and "Zeut" bloc also 5 seats. Ofer Winter's "Amcha Yisrael" party, for the first time in this poll, crosses the electoral threshold with 4 seats. The inclusion of Winter's party strengthens the current coalition bloc to 50 seats. Opposition Zionist parties collectively hold 58 seats, while Arab parties have 12.

Regarding suitability for the prime minister role, Gadi Eisenkot leads Benjamin Netanyahu with 50% of respondents favoring Eisenkot compared to 38% for Netanyahu. Naftali Bennett also edges out Netanyahu, with 45% preferring Bennett versus 40% for Netanyahu. Avigdor Lieberman trails Netanyahu in this specific ranking, with 38% supporting Lieberman and 41% supporting Netanyahu.

When asked about remaining in Israel if their preferred party does not participate in governing after the elections, 79% of respondents stated they would stay, while 9% indicated they might leave, and 12% were undecided. Among supporters of opposition parties, about 15% are considering leaving, though only 2% are certain they would depart.

The survey was conducted on September 9-10, with 601 respondents from an invited pool of 4,329, representing Israel's adult population. The maximum statistical error is 4%.