Gadi Eizenkot Widens Lead Over Naftali Bennett as Political Alliances Shift Ahead of Israeli Elections

Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Yachdav party, continues to lose support, dropping another Knesset seat to Gadi Eizenkot, leader of the Yisrael party, according to the latest poll conducted between June 25 and 29, 2026. The gap between them has grown to five seats, making it increasingly difficult for Bennett to close or reverse this trend. Political analysts suggest that Bennett and Yair Lapid may soon face tough decisions about their campaign strategies, including the possibility of a merger with Eizenkot, although it remains unclear if Eizenkot would agree to such terms.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party has gained one seat, rising to 24 mandates, though this gain comes at the expense of Itamar Ben-Gvir, the National Security Minister. Public opinion shows a majority supporting the recent agreement with Lebanon, with 46% viewing it as an Israeli achievement, despite some opposition among Netanyahu's own supporters. The situation in northern Israel remains a sensitive factor influencing Netanyahu's poll numbers.

A new political alliance is emerging among Benny Gantz, Yoaz Hendel, and Dedi Simchi, who currently hold six seats collectively, up by one from the previous week. This coalition, still unofficial, is attracting attention as it draws votes from both the opposition and the coalition, potentially reshaping the center political landscape. Other figures like Gilad Erdan, who plans to form a list with Ayelet Shaked and others, and Hili Tropper, who recently left Gantz's camp, could further impact the dynamics.

Despite Netanyahu's calls for national unity, Gantz and his allies remain skeptical, demanding a coalition without ultra-Orthodox parties and Ben-Gvir, which would likely position Netanyahu as prime minister but not as a minister. The emerging alliance describes itself as a cooperative leadership rather than a traditional party, raising questions about its long-term stability and whether it might lead to a third election or serve as a protest vote.

Overall, the political bloc distribution remains stable with the Zionist opposition holding 58 seats and the current coalition 52. Public opinion on leadership suitability is nearly split, with 37% favoring Netanyahu and 36% supporting Bennett. The evolving alliances and voter shifts signal a complex and fluid pre-election environment in Israel.