Maariv Poll Reveals Likud's Top Election Concern

A recent Maariv poll, published just before an election, indicates that the Likud party's primary concern is the potential rise of Arab parties if voter turnout increases in the Arab sector. Dr. Menachem Lazar, who commented on the poll, noted that the Arab population constitutes about 21% of Israel's citizens. He suggested that if voter turnout among Arab Israelis matches that of the Jewish population, Arab parties could collectively win up to 17 Knesset seats.

Lazar also observed that the bloc of Zionist opposition parties has stabilized, with a clear map and an even number of parties, which he believes will prevent vote wastage through surplus vote agreements. He further commented on the undecided voters, stating that their numbers are decreasing and are expected to continue to do so after the holiday period, as more people finalize their voting decisions.

The poll also touched upon Benny Gantz's political standing, suggesting his numbers are not significantly benefiting him, and highlighted internal issues within the Likud party. Additionally, it identified parties struggling to surpass the electoral threshold.