New Poll Shows Netanyahu's Likud Tied with Gadi Eizenkot's Yashar Party at 23 Seats Each

A recent poll released by Channel 12 News on Monday reveals a tie between the two largest parties in Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud and Gadi Eizenkot's Yashar, each securing 23 Knesset seats. This marks a significant setback for Netanyahu, as Likud's status as the largest party is now in question.

The third-largest party is Yamina, led by Naftali Bennett, which continues to decline, receiving only 16 seats. The Democratic camp, headed by Yair Golan, ranks fourth with 10 seats. Both Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu and Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit each gain 9 seats. Shas, under Aryeh Deri, slightly weakens to 8 seats, matched by United Torah Judaism led by Yitzhak Goldknopf.

Further down, Hadash-Ta'al secures 6 seats, the Religious Zionist Party led by Bezalel Smotrich remains above the electoral threshold with 4 seats, and Ra'am also holds 4 seats despite some losses. Parties failing to cross the threshold include Blue and White under Benny Gantz (1%), The Reservists under Yoaz Hendel (1%), and Balad led by Sami Abu Shehadeh (0.7%).

Despite shifts within political blocs, the overall balance remains unchanged: the Zionist opposition holds 58 seats, while the current coalition has 52. Neither side can form a government without additional parties. The poll highlights the critical role of smaller parties, which could decide the election outcome with 8 to 13 seats.

Summary: A new poll shows Netanyahu's Likud tied with Gadi Eizenkot's Yashar party at 23 seats each, with no bloc able to form a government alone, emphasizing the importance of smaller parties in Israel's upcoming elections.