New Poll Shows Netanyahu's Campaign Against Winter Weakening Right-Wing Bloc
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS by baba
A new i24NEWS/Direct Polls survey shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's campaign against candidate Ofer Winter has weakened the right-wing bloc, dropping Winter below the electoral threshold. Naftali Bennett's campaign, however, continues to gain momentum, reaching 13 seats. The poll also indicates significant vote wastage among smaller ultra-Orthodox parties, potentially costing the right-wing bloc several crucial seats.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's campaign against Ofer Winter has caused Winter to fall below the electoral threshold.
- The votes lost by Ofer Winter are primarily benefiting the center-left bloc, weakening the right-wing bloc to 57 seats.
- Naftali Bennett's campaign shows consistent growth, reaching 13 seats in the latest i24NEWS/Direct Polls survey.
- Four smaller ultra-Orthodox parties are collectively losing about one and a half seats due to vote wastage.
- An additional 10% of the ultra-Orthodox sector, which voted previously, now states they will not vote.
- The outcome hinges on whether Winter's supporters will turn out to vote and if the right can mobilize these crucial votes.
A new poll released by i24NEWS and Direct Polls reveals a significant shift in the Israeli election landscape just two weeks before voting day. The survey indicates that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's campaign against candidate Ofer Winter has backfired strategically, pushing Winter below the electoral threshold and weakening the right-wing bloc.
Netanyahu's personal attacks on Winter have apparently caused Winter's support to drop to 3.1%, approximately 20,000 votes short of the required threshold. However, the poll suggests that the votes lost by Winter are primarily benefiting the center-left bloc rather than other right-wing parties. Consequently, the entire right-wing bloc has fallen to 57 seats, a level not seen since June. The critical question remains whether Winter's supporters will turn out to vote, a factor that could heavily influence the election outcome.
In contrast, Naftali Bennett's campaign is showing consistent growth, reaching 13 seats in the current poll, a gain of four seats in two weeks. While Bennett still trails bloc leader Gadi Eisenkot, his upward trend is a notable development. The poll also highlights a significant issue for the right-wing parties: wasted votes within the ultra-Orthodox and religious sectors. Four smaller parties are collectively losing about one and a half seats, and an additional 10% of the ultra-Orthodox sector, which voted in the previous election, now states they will not vote at all.
This potential loss of several seats could be critical in a close election. The ability of right-wing leaders to mobilize these voters or reach agreements could be key to securing a victory for Netanyahu's bloc. Failure to do so could leave the right-wing bloc in a difficult position.
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