New Poll Shows Tight Race, Netanyahu Gains on Bennett
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
A new poll shows the Israeli political landscape in a near tie, with the coalition and opposition blocs each at 52 seats, as the Likud party gains one seat. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has significantly closed the gap with Naftali Bennett in preferred leader polls, trailing by only two percent. The survey also revealed public divisions on including Haredi and Arab parties in future governments, with a majority supporting Haredi inclusion but opposing Arab party participation. Voter turnout intention is high across the political spectrum.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Coalition and opposition blocs are tied at 52 seats in a new Israeli political poll.
- Likud party gains one seat, contributing to the near-even split in the latest survey.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu narrows the gap with Naftali Bennett to two percent in preferred leader polls.
- A majority of Israelis support including Haredi parties but oppose including Arab parties in the next government.
- Voter motivation is high, with 78% of respondents certain they will participate in elections.
A new poll indicates a dramatic shift in Israel's political landscape, with the Likud party gaining one seat and creating a near-even split between the coalition and opposition blocs. The survey, conducted by Lazar Research in collaboration with Panel4ALL, shows the coalition and the Zionist opposition each at 52 seats, a significant tightening of the race. This development coincides with a one-seat drop for the Democrats party, contributing to the overall parity. Within the coalition, there were internal movements, with Otzma Yehudit losing a seat and Religious Zionism gaining one. Arab parties maintained their strength with 12 seats.
If elections were held today, "Yesh!" would lead with 21 seats, followed by Likud with 20. Other parties' projected seat counts include: Together 13, Democrats 9, Yisrael Beiteinu 9, Otzma Yehudit 8, Joint List 7, United Torah Judaism 7, Shas 7, Religious Zionism 6, Ra'am 5, and Am Israel and the Reservists/Economic parties with 4 seats each.
In terms of preferred prime minister, the results are mixed for Benjamin Netanyahu. While Gadi Eisenkot maintains a lead over Netanyahu (46% to 40%), Netanyahu has significantly narrowed the gap with Naftali Bennett, trailing by only two percentage points (44% for Bennett, 42% for Netanyahu). Netanyahu also leads Avigdor Lieberman (44% to 38%). In an open-ended question about who should be prime minister, Netanyahu received 38% support, followed by Eisenkot with 24% and Bennett with 14%.
The poll also explored public opinion on future coalition compositions. A majority of Israelis (53%) support including a Haredi party in the next government, while 41% oppose it. Conversely, a majority (59%) oppose including an Arab party in the coalition, with 36% in favor. The survey of 700 respondents also indicated high voter motivation, with 78% certain they will vote, and slightly higher motivation among the opposition bloc (86%) compared to the coalition bloc (81%).
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