New Poll Shows Eisenkot Leading, Netanyahu Bloc Shrinking

A new poll released by Channel 12 indicates that Gadi Eisenkot's "Yashar" party is leading the political landscape with 23 seats, approximately three weeks before the 26th Knesset elections. Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party is projected to gain 21 seats, while the current coalition government would secure only 49 seats. Arab parties collectively are expected to win 13 seats.

Naftali Bennett's "B'Yachad" party is holding steady at 13 seats. Avigdor Lieberman's "Yisrael Beiteinu" and Yair Golan's "The Democrats" are each polling at 9 seats. The Joint List is projected to increase to 8 seats, matching "Yahadut HaTorah." Shas, led by Aryeh Deri, and Itamar Ben-Gvir's "Otzma Yehudit" are both polling at 7 seats. Bezalel Smotrich and Moshe Feiglin's "Religious Zionism" and "Zehut" alliance is expected to receive 6 seats.

The "United List" is projected to win 5 seats. The "New Reserve and Economic" list, led by Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha, is expected to cross the electoral threshold with 4 seats. In contrast, Ofer Winter's "Amcha Israel" list has fallen below the threshold with only 1.5% of the vote, and Moti Leitner's "Haredi Public" list is at 0.6%. Benny Gantz's "Kachol Lavan" is at 0.5%.

This poll shows a shift in the political blocs. The anti-Netanyahu bloc has increased to 67 seats, comprising 54 seats from anti-Netanyahu Zionist parties and 13 from Arab lists. The current coalition holds 49 seats. Hendel and Zelekha's list is categorized in a "third bloc."

In terms of suitability for prime minister, Eisenkot leads Netanyahu, with 41% favoring Eisenkot and 38% favoring Netanyahu. When compared to Bennett, Netanyahu leads 41% to 37%. Against Lieberman, Netanyahu leads 43% to 26%.

The poll also addressed responsibility for the October 7th failures. 25% of respondents hold the government primarily responsible, 17% blame the military, and 47% believe both are equally responsible. Regarding Netanyahu specifically, 65% believe he bears significant responsibility for the October 7th failures, while 22% believe his responsibility is minor.