Newsru.co.il Poll Reveals Reader Preferences on Post-Election Government Scenarios
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
A Newsru.co.il poll of 2,534 readers revealed divided opinions on post-election government formation. While a national unity government was the most preferred option, readers predicted new elections or a minority government led by Gadi Eisenkot. Benjamin Netanyahu was the most popular choice for prime minister individually, but combined support for other leaders was higher. Key issues like cooperation with Arab parties and Haredi conscription remain divisive, with younger and more recent immigrants showing different preferences than older participants.
The story in 7 lines · by baba
- A Newsru.co.il poll showed a national unity government as the most preferred coalition option among readers.
- Benjamin Netanyahu was the most popular individual choice for prime minister, with 39.1% support.
- Gadi Eisenkot leads among younger readers and recent immigrants, while Netanyahu is favored by older participants.
- Over 80% of readers would accept a broad coalition involving Likud and the "change bloc" parties.
- Haredi conscription remains a major obstacle, with over 50% deeming it a non-negotiable condition.
- A significant portion of readers predict new elections if coalition talks fail.
- Cooperation with Arab parties is largely rejected, though some would accept it to replace Netanyahu.
A poll conducted by Newsru.co.il among its readers, with 2,534 participants, explored preferences for government formation following the latest Knesset elections. The survey, which ran from November 9, 2026, after President Yitzhak Herzog tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government, indicated no single consensus on the ideal coalition. The most supported option was a national unity government including Likud and the "change bloc" parties (27.4%), followed by a "change bloc" government led by Eisenkot with external support from Arab parties (21.6%). A government led by Benjamin Netanyahu with his current allies garnered 21% support. However, readers' predictions of the most likely scenario differed, with Eisenkot's government with Haredi parties seen as most probable (25.3%), and new elections predicted by 23.2%.
Regarding preferred prime ministers, Benjamin Netanyahu received the highest individual support at 39.1%, followed by Gadi Eisenkot (23.3%), Avigdor Lieberman (15.2%), and Naftali Bennett (12.3%). While Netanyahu leads individually, Eisenkot, Lieberman, and Bennett combined garnered over half the support, suggesting a potential plurality against Netanyahu. The poll also revealed that over 80% of participants would accept a broad coalition involving Likud and the "change bloc," but opinions diverge on leadership and conditions. Netanyahu's proposal for a national unity government was viewed with skepticism, with 27% seeing it as an attempt to retain power and 22.6% deeming cooperation with him unacceptable.
Cooperation with Arab parties is largely rejected, with 66.4% opposing external support for an Eisenkot-led minority government and 48.7% against any participation. However, 41.5% would accept such a government to replace Netanyahu. The issue of conscripting Haredi men into the army remains a significant hurdle, with 52.5% insisting on mandatory or alternative service as a non-negotiable condition for coalition formation. While Netanyahu remains the most popular prime ministerial choice overall, Eisenkot leads among younger participants (under 50) and those who immigrated between 2010 and 2026. The poll highlights a desire for a specific political outcome clashing with an unwillingness to compromise core principles, with significant divisions on acceptable political compromises.
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