New Poll Shows Shifting Alliances Ahead of Israeli Elections

A new poll released by Channel 12 News, just 35 days before Israel's 26th Knesset elections, indicates significant shifts in party standings and voter preferences. If elections were held today, the "Yashr" party led by Gadi Eisenkot would emerge as the largest party with 23 mandates, maintaining its position from the previous survey. The Likud party, headed by Benjamin Netanyahu, holds steady with 20 mandates, while Naftali Bennett's "Bayit Yehudi" also retains its strength with 13 mandates.

Conversely, the Democratic party led by Yair Golan has weakened, securing 9 mandates, while Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu has strengthened to also receive 9 mandates. Other parties show mixed results: Yahadut HaTorah maintains its 8 mandates, and the Joint List has weakened to 7 mandates. Shas receives 7 mandates, Otzma Yehudit 6, and Religious Zionism and Identity together garner 5 mandates. Ra'am is strengthening with 5 mandates, while "Am Israel" receives 4. Notably, Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Ze'likha's "HaMiluimnikim VeHaKalkalit HaHadasha" (Reservists and the New Economy) party has again surpassed the electoral threshold, receiving 4 mandates.

The poll also analyzed the bloc dynamics, showing minimal change in overall bloc strength but internal shifts within parties. The bloc opposing Netanyahu holds 66 mandates (54 from Zionist parties and 12 from Arab parties), while the current coalition commands 50 mandates. Hendel and Ze'likha's party is positioned in a "third bloc" with 4 mandates.

Regarding suitability for Prime Minister, Eisenkot leads Netanyahu with 41% to 38%. When comparing Bennett and Netanyahu, Netanyahu regains the lead with 41% support compared to Bennett's 37%. Netanyahu also leads Lieberman with 38% to 28%.

The survey was conducted by Midgam Consulting and Research, led by Mano Geva, with data collected on September 22, 2026. The sample included 501 respondents out of 2,498 individuals contacted, with a maximum sampling error of +/- 4.4%.