Poll Shows Half of Israelis Want Winter, Hendel, Zehlikha to Quit Race
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
A Channel 14 poll reveals that 48% of Israelis want Ofer Winter to withdraw from the election race, and 49% believe Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zehlikha should do the same. The calls for withdrawal come after Benny Gantz announced his departure from the election. The survey of 454 adults was conducted on October 19, 2026, with just eight days remaining until the election.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- 48% of Israelis want Ofer Winter to withdraw from the election race, according to a new poll.
- 49% of respondents believe Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zehlikha should also withdraw from the election.
- The poll was released after Benny Gantz announced his withdrawal from the election.
- The survey of 454 adults was conducted by Channel 14 and NEXT DATA on October 19, 2026.
- Concerns about wasted votes for parties failing to pass the electoral threshold are high.
- Ofer Winter's party is polling below the threshold, while Hendel and Zehlikha's list is near it.
Following Benny Gantz's withdrawal from the election race, a new poll indicates that nearly half of the Israeli public believes that other party leaders should also withdraw to prevent vote wastage. The survey, conducted by Channel 14 and NEXT DATA, found that 48% of respondents think Ofer Winter, leader of the Amcha Israel party, should drop out, as his party is polling below the electoral threshold. Conversely, 38% believe he should continue, and 14% are undecided.
Similarly, 49% of those polled urged Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zehlikha to withdraw from the race due to uncertainty about their ability to pass the electoral threshold. Forty percent opposed their withdrawal, with 11% having no clear stance. These findings come just eight days before the election, with the issue of wasted votes for parties failing to cross the threshold potentially deciding the election outcome.
While Winter's party consistently polls below the threshold, Hendel and Zehlikha's list is shown to be hovering around it. Gantz announced his withdrawal earlier on Monday, stating he would "continue to fight for unity." His departure intensifies pressure on other party leaders. However, the Amcha Israel party has stated that Winter has no intention of withdrawing, asserting that his continued candidacy reinforces the need for others to stay in the race.
The poll surveyed 454 adults and was conducted on October 19, 2026. Data analysis was performed by Shlomo Filber.
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