New Poll Shows Dramatic Shift in Israeli Political Landscape

A new poll released by Channel 12 News reveals significant shifts in the Israeli political map ahead of the 26th Knesset elections, potentially altering party strategies. Gadi Eisenkot's party, while remaining the largest, has seen a slight decline, while a new party has crossed the electoral threshold for the first time, reshaping the distribution of mandates.

According to the poll conducted on September 14, 2026, Eisenkot's party garnered 23 seats, two fewer than in the previous survey. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party also weakened, securing 20 seats. Despite this, a clear gap persists between the two leading parties, though underlying changes are deemed more significant.

The most notable surprise is the entry of Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha's new economic and reservist party, which for the first time passed the electoral threshold, winning four seats. Their potential entry into the Knesset creates a third bloc, weakening the camp aiming to replace Netanyahu. Naftali Bennett's party maintained 13 seats, Yair Golan's Democrats dropped to ten, Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu weakened to eight, and Yahadut HaTorah also received eight seats. The Joint List, led by Yosef Jabareen, strengthened to eight seats.

Shas, led by Aryeh Deri, secured seven seats, while Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism and Identity list received five. At the lower end, Mansour Abbas's Ra'am, Ofer Vinter's Am Israel, and Hendel and Zelekha's list each received four seats, hovering close to the electoral threshold. Four parties, including Benny Gantz's Blue and White (0.5%), failed to pass the threshold.

The poll also indicates a complex bloc configuration. The anti-Netanyahu bloc totals 66 seats, with 54 from Zionist parties and 12 from Arab lists. The current coalition reaches 50 seats, while the four seats held by Hendel and Zelekha remain outside these main blocs, potentially making them kingmakers in government formation.

In terms of suitability for prime minister, Eisenkot leads Netanyahu with 42% support compared to Netanyahu's 36%. Bennett also narrowly surpasses Netanyahu, with 40% to 39%. However, Netanyahu clearly leads Lieberman, 40% to 30%. A significant portion of opposition voters (71%) desire a unified candidate to challenge Netanyahu, with 65% believing this candidate should be chosen based on the number of seats their party wins.