New Poll Shows Opposition Bloc Short of Majority, Netanyahu's Party Gains

A new Israeli public opinion poll released by Channel 16 indicates that the opposition bloc, excluding Arab parties and the "Handel and Zehlikha" faction, would collectively garner 51 seats in the Knesset. This figure falls short of the 61 seats required to form a government, suggesting a continued political stalemate.

The poll, which surveyed voting intentions if elections were held today, placed the "Yesh!" party in first place with 21 seats, a decrease of two mandates from the previous survey. Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, whose political future is often speculated upon, is suggested by the poll's framing to have reason for concern regarding his party's standing.

The Likud party, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, secured 19 seats, one less than in the prior poll. "Beiteinu" followed with 14 seats, gaining one mandate. "HaDemocratim" received 9 seats, an increase of one mandate, while "Otzma Yehudit" and "Shas" each obtained 8 seats, with Otzma Yehudit losing one mandate.

Other parties included "Yisrael Beiteinu," "United Torah Judaism," and the "Joint List," each with 7 seats. "Yisrael Beiteinu" lost one mandate. "Religious Zionism/Identity" garnered 6 seats, an increase of one mandate. "Ra'am" and "Amcha Yisrael" received 5 seats each, with Amcha Yisrael gaining one mandate. Finally, "HaMiluimnikim/HaKalkalit" secured 4 seats.