Poll Shows Netanyahu Gaining as Gantz Weakens After Ra'am Controversy

A new poll released by Channel 14 indicates a significant shift in the Israeli political landscape, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party widening its lead over rivals. The survey suggests that Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity party, has experienced a decline in support following a recent controversy involving the Islamist Ra'am party.

According to the poll, if elections were held today, the Likud party would secure 32 Knesset seats, a notable increase. In contrast, National Unity would drop to 25 seats. This represents a substantial gain for Netanyahu's bloc, which, when combined with other right-wing and religious parties, would reach 64 seats in the 120-member Knesset, providing a stable majority.

The poll's findings come in the wake of a public dispute that involved Gantz and Ra'am. While the specifics of the controversy are not detailed, its impact appears to have been detrimental to Gantz's political standing, contributing to his party's perceived weakening.

Other parties also saw shifts in the poll. The ultra-Orthodox parties, United Torah Judaism and Shas, are projected to win 8 seats each. Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party is predicted to gain 5 seats, while the left-wing Meretz party is shown to narrowly miss the electoral threshold, failing to secure any seats. The results suggest a consolidation of support around the current government's bloc, potentially strengthening Netanyahu's position.