New Poll Shows Gadi Eisenkot's Party Leading Likud Ahead of Elections

A recent poll conducted by Israel's Channel 13 indicates a significant shift in the country's political landscape, with the "Yashar" party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, emerging as the frontrunner. The survey suggests "Yashar" could secure 22 seats in the Knesset, surpassing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "Likud" party, which is projected to win 18 seats. Other parties showing strong results include Naftali Bennett's "Bayahad" and Yair Golan's opposition bloc "Democrats," both expected to gain 11 mandates. The "United List," "Yisrael Beiteinu," and the ultra-Orthodox "Yahadut HaTorah" are each projected to receive eight seats. Further down the list, "Otzma Yehudit" and "Shas" are predicted to win seven seats apiece. The right-wing bloc "Tzionut Datit" is expected to get six seats, while "Amcha Israel" led by Ofer Winter and the "Ra'am" list are projected to secure five seats each. Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha's joint list is anticipated to cross the electoral threshold with four mandates. Notably, Benny Gantz's "National Unity" party is shown failing to overcome the electoral barrier and would not enter the Knesset according to this poll. The poll also highlighted the balance of power between political blocs, with the current coalition parties collectively garnering 51 seats and the opposition bloc (excluding Arab parties and the Hendel-Zelekha union) securing 52 seats. In a direct comparison for the premiership, 48% of respondents favored Gadi Eisenkot, compared to 36% for Benjamin Netanyahu, with 16% undecided.