Poll Shows Tight Race Between Israeli Coalition and Opposition Parties

Recent polls in Israel indicate a narrowing gap between the Zionist opposition parties and the ruling coalition in terms of Knesset seats. A survey published Friday by the newspaper Maariv suggests that the coalition parties would collectively secure 51 seats, while the Zionist opposition would gain 53. Arab parties are projected to win 12 seats, and the "Reserve and Economic" list is expected to get 4 seats.

The poll also projected individual party results: Yishai party 21 seats, Likud 19, Byahad list 13, Democratic party 10, Yisrael Beiteinu 9, Otzma Yehudit 9, the Joint List 7, Yahadut HaTorah bloc 7, Shas party 7, Religious Zionism and Feiglin 5, the United List 5, Amcha Israel party 4, and the "Reserve and Economic" list 4.

Regarding the preferred candidate for Prime Minister, Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yishai party, received 47% support compared to 41% for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Naftali Bennett, head of the Byahad list, was supported by 45% for the premiership against Netanyahu's 41%. Similarly, 44% favored Netanyahu over Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, who garnered 39% support.

Furthermore, the poll revealed that a significant majority of Israelis, 67%, fear a repeat of an attack similar to Hamas's October 7th "Al-Aqsa Flood." This sentiment includes 65% of coalition voters and 77% of opposition voters. Only 26% of respondents stated they do not fear such a scenario, while 7% were unsure.