Poll Shows Eisenkot Leading, Likud Declining, Netanyahu Bloc Gaining

A new Israeli public opinion poll indicates Gadi Eisenkot's "Yashar" party would win 22 seats, while the Likud party would fall to 18 seats. However, Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc is projected to strengthen, reaching 54 seats in the Knesset. The poll, conducted by Channel 13 and published Wednesday evening, also shows Naftali Bennett's "Bayad" party securing 12 seats, a decrease of one seat from the previous survey. Yair Golan's "Democrats" maintain 10 seats.

The "Religious Zionism" alliance with "Zehut" is projected to get 8 seats, the same as Itamar Ben-Gvir's "Otzma Yehudit" and Avigdor Lieberman's "Yisrael Beiteinu" parties. The joint Arab list is expected to win 8 seats, while "United Torah Judaism" and "Shas" each receive 7 seats. Ofir Ventur's "Amcha Yisrael" list and the "United List" are both projected to gain 6 seats.

Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha's list, along with the "Charedi Public" party, remain below the electoral threshold, though close. Benny Gantz's "Blue and White" party registers less than 1% of the vote. Netanyahu's bloc is shown with 54 seats, compared to 52 for the bloc of parties opposing him, with the two Arab lists taking 14 seats out of the 120 total.

In a question about who is most suitable to be prime minister, 45% of respondents chose Eisenkot, versus 36% for Netanyahu, with 19% undecided. The poll also addressed the controversy surrounding the film "Naza," which is based on Israeli soldiers' testimonies about targeting civilians during the war in Gaza. Regarding the film's claims of intentional killing in Gaza, 68% of participants stated they do not believe these allegations, while 13% do, and 19% were unsure.

When asked about banning the film's screening in Israel, 48% supported a ban, 32% opposed it, and 20% were undecided.