New Poll Shows Likud Gaining, Bennett Weakening Ahead of Elections

A new poll released Sunday by Kan News, approximately one month before elections, indicates a strengthening of the Likud party and a weakening of the "Yashar" and "Be'ahad" parties. Despite these shifts, neither of the two main blocs is securing a decisive advantage, with Netanyahu's bloc at 52 mandates and the opposing bloc at 52 mandates.

The "Yashar" party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, loses one mandate to 23 but remains in first place. The Likud, headed by Benjamin Netanyahu, gains one mandate to reach 21. Meanwhile, Naftali Bennett's "Be'ahad" party drops to 11 mandates, nearing single digits. Following them, Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu and Yair Golan's Democrats each receive 9 mandates.

Otzma Yehudit, Shas, and United Torah Judaism each secure 7 mandates, while Religious Zionism and Identity together receive 6. Ra'am stands at 5 mandates. Hadash-Ta'al and Balad together get 7 mandates. Ofer Winter's "Amcha Yisrael" party passes the electoral threshold with 4 mandates.

A notable development is the joint list of Yoaz Hendel and Professor Yaron Zelekha, which, days after announcing their partnership, passes the electoral threshold with 4 mandates. Zelekha previously presented a plan to lower the cost of living, vowing significant economic change within three months if appointed to the Treasury.

Parties like Blue and White, led by Benny Gantz, the Haredi Public party, and Noam remain outside the Knesset in this poll. The bloc alignment remains tied at 52 mandates for Netanyahu's bloc and 52 for Eisenkot's. Arab parties collectively receive 12 mandates, while Hendel and Zelekha, not aligned with either bloc in this projection, receive 4.

In terms of suitability for prime minister, Netanyahu leads Eisenkot by a single percentage point, 39% to 38%. Netanyahu also fares better against Bennett, with 42% support compared to Bennett's 33%. The poll also surveyed opinions on disqualifying Arab parties, with a majority supporting the disqualification of Hadash-Ta'al, Balad, and Ra'am. However, supporters of the "change bloc" showed opposition to these disqualifications.