Israeli Election Polls Show Bennett's Party Could Aid Netanyahu's Return

Gadi Eisenkot's "Yashar!" party is conducting phone polls presenting a narrative that voting for Naftali Bennett's "Yachad" party could inadvertently help Benjamin Netanyahu return to power. The polls suggest that if "Yachad" gains a significant number of seats, it might weaken the "change bloc" and pave the way for Netanyahu's Likud party to form the next government. Specifically, the polls posit that if "Yashar!" is tied with or slightly ahead of Likud, it could be the deciding factor between a "change government" or a Netanyahu-led government.

Eisenkot's party claims these polls are designed to gather data and are not definitive. Another poll conducted by "Yashar!" reportedly suggests that a stronger showing for Eisenkot's party would improve the "change bloc's" overall position. The party stated that their focus is on consolidating votes for the "change bloc" by potentially marginalizing smaller parties, rather than personal rivalries.

This strategy emerges amidst internal tensions within the "change bloc." Eisenkot himself recently criticized internal disputes that he believes harm their chances of unseating Netanyahu. The polls, however, indicate that Eisenkot's party is also engaging in such tactics. There is significant distrust towards Eisenkot within the "change bloc," particularly concerning these polls.

In parallel, opposition leader Yair Lapid is scheduled to host a meeting of "change bloc" leaders at his home in Tel Aviv this Saturday. The meeting is expected to include Bennett, Eisenkot, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan, and will focus on coordinating their strategies ahead of the upcoming elections. A recent Channel 12 poll showed "Yashar!" as the largest party with 23 seats, Likud with 20, and "Yachad" with 13.