Latest Election Poll Shows 'Change Bloc' Gaining, Netanyahu's Likud Strengthens
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
A final pre-election poll by Channel 12 News shows the "change bloc" gaining support, projected to win 70 Knesset seats, while Gadi Eisenkot's Yishar party emerges as the largest. Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party strengthens to 21 seats. The poll also indicates a narrowing gap in prime ministerial preference between Eisenkot and Netanyahu, with Eisenkot leading. Key issues influencing voters include the economy, the draft law, and the October 7th failures.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The "change bloc" is projected to win 70 Knesset seats in the latest Channel 12 election poll.
- Gadi Eisenkot's Yishar party is predicted to be the largest party with 23 seats.
- Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party is expected to gain two seats, reaching 21.
- Gadi Eisenkot leads Benjamin Netanyahu in preference for prime minister, 44% to 38%.
- Ofer Winter's and Yoaz Hendel's parties are projected to fall below the electoral threshold.
A final pre-election poll by Channel 12 News indicates that the "change bloc" opposing Benjamin Netanyahu is gaining strength, projected to secure 70 Knesset seats. The Yishar party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, is predicted to be the largest party with 23 seats, while Netanyahu's Likud is expected to gain two seats, reaching 21. The "change bloc" coalition, comprising parties opposed to Netanyahu, is projected to win 70 seats, with 56 from Zionist parties and 14 from Arab parties. The current coalition is expected to win 50 seats.
In head-to-head matchups for prime minister, Eisenkot leads Netanyahu by 44% to 38%, a narrowing of the gap from the previous poll. Naftali Bennett, previously leading Netanyahu, is now tied with him at 39%. Avigdor Lieberman trails Netanyahu in preference for prime minister by 40% to 28%.
More respondents prefer a "change government" (46%) over a "Netanyahu bloc" government (32%), with 15% favoring a unity government. Among "change bloc" voters, 60% would prefer a minority government if a 61-seat coalition without Arab parties cannot be formed, while 20% favor new elections.
Economically, 21% of respondents identified the economy and cost of living as the most influential issue for their vote, followed by the draft law and burden sharing (17%), and the October 7th failures (14%). Among coalition voters, the war with Iran is the top issue (21%), while opposition voters prioritize the October 7th failures (28%) and the draft law (27%).
Parties failing to cross the electoral threshold include Am Israel, led by Ofer Winter (2.5%), and Reservists-Economic, led by Yoaz Hendel (2.4%). The Haredi Public party and Noam for Israel are also projected to fall short.
The poll, conducted by Midgam Research between October 22-23, 2026, surveyed 1,018 respondents, with a maximum margin of error of 4.4%.
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