Poll Shows No Majority for Either Bloc in Knesset, Arab Parties at 14 Seats

A new poll published by the Hebrew newspaper Maariv indicates that Arab parties have gained two seats, reaching a total of 14, while the Likud party has dropped two seats to 18. This shift results in a tie between the two main blocs, each with 51 seats, just 11 days before the elections. The poll suggests that neither bloc will be able to form a majority government, with some smaller parties hovering near or just above the electoral threshold. The ruling coalition bloc lost one seat to reach 51, despite the Yachad Torah party gaining one seat to 8 and the Am Israel party surpassing the threshold with 4 seats. Conversely, the opposition bloc also dropped one seat to 51, due to Yisrael Beiteinu losing a seat to 8. The "Recruits and Economy" party secured 4 seats, also crossing the threshold, but is not aligned with either bloc. Even if this party joined one of the blocs, neither would reach the 61 seats needed for a majority government. The poll also surveyed preferred candidates for Prime Minister, showing Gadi Eisenkot leading Benjamin Netanyahu with 48% support versus 41%. Netanyahu tied with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at 43% and led Avigdor Lieberman with 43% to 37%. A significant majority, 79%, of respondents believe their chosen bloc will win, with 90% of coalition voters optimistic compared to 75% of opposition voters. Regarding election outcomes where no bloc secures a majority, 55% favor a unity government, while 27% prefer new elections. Opposition voters are split, with 54% open to a unity government led by a "change bloc" leader. Coalition voters are divided, with 36% favoring a Netanyahu-led unity government and 32% preferring new elections.