Poll Shows Netanyahu Bloc Surpassing Opposition for First Time

Political correspondent Michael Shemesh of Kan News has analyzed recent polls indicating that for the first time, the bloc supporting Benjamin Netanyahu has overtaken the opposition bloc. Shemesh attributed this shift to two primary factors, emphasizing the trend over specific numbers. The first reason cited is the internal conflict among opposition leaders, specifically Benny Gantz, Naftali Bennett, and Avigdor Lieberman, who are reportedly vying for the prime minister position after the potential election. Shemesh noted that instead of uniting, their bloc is collapsing due to this infighting.

The second significant factor identified by Shemesh is the emergence of a new right-wing party founded by Ofer Vinter. This party is reportedly drawing votes from the opposition, a development that Netanyahu views with concern, despite personal distrust of Vinter. Shemesh stated that Vinter's party is dramatically altering the political landscape.

According to a Channel 13 poll, the Likud party, led by Netanyahu, slightly weakened to 18 seats. However, Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionism-Identity both rose to 8 seats each. The ultra-Orthodox parties collectively secured 14 seats, while Vinter's Am Israel party gained 6 seats. This brings the total for the right-wing bloc to 54 mandates.

In contrast, the opposition bloc's numbers show Gantz's National Unity at 22 seats, Bennett and Yair Lapid's parties at 12 seats, and Yaakov Glickman's Democrats at 10 seats, with Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu at 8 seats, totaling 50 mandates. The article also noted that Hila Vinter and Ze'ev Elkin's parties failed to pass the electoral threshold.