New Poll Shows Benny Gantz Leading Benjamin Netanyahu in Knesset Seat Projections

A new poll conducted by Kantar for Israel's Kan Broadcasting Corporation indicates that Benny Gantz's National Unity party would be the largest in the Knesset, securing 24 seats. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party has fallen to 20 seats in the same survey. The poll was released amid increasing difficulties in forming a government, as neither the Netanyahu bloc nor the opposing bloc can secure a majority. The survey projects Netanyahu's bloc and the opposing bloc each receiving 52 seats, with Arab parties collectively gaining 12 seats.

Following National Unity and Likud, Naftali Bennett's "Together" list is projected to take third place with 12 seats. Yair Golan's "Democrats," Avigdor Lieberman's "Yisrael Beiteinu," and Itamar Ben-Gvir's "Otzma Yehudit" are each expected to win 8 seats. In the religious parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism are projected to get 7 seats each, while the "Religious Zionism" list is expected to win 6 seats.

Among Arab parties, the Joint List, comprising Ta'al, Hadash, and Arab Movement for Change, is projected to win 7 seats, compared to 5 seats for the United Arab List. Notably, General Ofer Winter's "Your People Israel" list is predicted to enter the Knesset with 4 seats, potentially bolstering Netanyahu's parliamentary support. Another list, "Handel and Zelicha," is projected to gain 4 additional seats outside the main blocs. The poll, based on a sample of approximately 550 individuals, suggests that forming a governing coalition will remain uncertain without further agreements, given the projected 52-52 split between the pro-Netanyahu and anti-Netanyahu blocs, plus the 12 Arab party seats and the 4 seats from the "Reserve and Economy Alliance."