Poll Shows Likud Gaining Ahead of Knesset Elections, No Clear Coalition

A new poll released by KANTAR on September 27, one month before the 26th Knesset elections, indicates a shift in voter intentions. If elections were held today, the "Yashar" party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, would emerge as the largest faction with 23 seats, though this represents a loss of one seat compared to a previous poll. The "Likud" party, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, shows strengthening, gaining one seat to reach 21. The "Bayahad" bloc is projected to win 11 seats, a decrease of one. Other parties' projected seat counts include "Democratim" and Yisrael Beiteinu with nine seats each, "Yahadut HaTorah," Shas, "Otzma Yehudit," and the Joint List with seven each, the "Tzionut Datit"-"Zeut" bloc with six, and Ra'am with five. "Amcha Yisrael" and "Miluimnikim - Kalkalit" are each projected to receive four seats. Notably, "Kahol Lavan," led by Benny Gantz, would not pass the electoral threshold. The current coalition parties combined would secure 52 seats, while the opposition bloc would also reach 52 seats. Arab parties are projected to win 12 seats. Regarding preferred prime minister, 39% of respondents favored Netanyahu, while 38% supported Eisenkot. When presented with a choice between Netanyahu and Naftali Bennett, 42% chose the current prime minister and 33% chose the head of "Bayahad." In the northern region specifically, "Likud" is projected to win 24 seats, while "Yashar" is expected to gain 20.