Gadi Eizenkot’s Yashar Party Surpasses Likud in Latest Israeli Poll

A new poll by Channel 13 News released on Wednesday shows Gadi Eizenkot’s Yashar party leading Israeli politics with 23 Knesset seats, three more than in the previous survey. The Likud party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, falls to 21 seats, one less than before, placing it second. Naftali Bennett’s Yachdut party drops two seats to 15, ranking third.

Further down the list, the Democratic camp led by Yair Golan and Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu each hold 10 seats. Shas, United Torah Judaism, and Otzma Yehudit secure eight seats apiece, while Hadash-Ta’al has six. Ra’am and Religious Zionism each have five seats. The United party of Hili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel, Blue and White under Benny Gantz, and Balad fail to cross the electoral threshold.

The bloc map shows the anti-Netanyahu opposition with 58 seats, Netanyahu’s coalition with 51, and Arab parties holding 11 seats, totaling 69 opposition seats versus 51 for the current coalition. On suitability for prime minister, Eizenkot leads with 46% support, compared to 36% for Netanyahu and 18% undecided.

A scenario with political mergers was also tested: a joint run by Hadash-Ta’al and Balad would gain 10 seats, while Ra’am would drop to four. A united list of Benny Gantz and Dedi Simchi would not pass the threshold, nor would a list including Gilad Erdan, Ayelet Shaked, and Yuli Edelstein. In this scenario, Netanyahu’s coalition weakens to 49 seats, opposition remains at 58, and Arab parties increase to 14.

Regarding public opinion on government compliance with Supreme Court rulings, 62% believe the government must obey court decisions under all circumstances, while 28% disagree. Among coalition supporters, only 9% agree with this obligation, whereas 74% oppose it. Additionally, 56% oppose a bill preventing arrests of ultra-Orthodox youth who avoid military service, with 29% in favor. Among coalition voters, 68% support the bill.

When asked if advancing laws agreed upon by Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox parties would affect voting behavior, 53% said they had already decided their vote, 20% said it would definitely influence them, 17% said it might, and 9% were unsure.