Gadi Eizenkot Rated Most Trustworthy Politician as Majority Oppose Ultra-Orthodox Parties in Next Israeli Government

A recent political poll conducted by Ulpan Shishi in collaboration with Midgam and iPanel reveals that former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot is viewed as the most trustworthy politician among Israelis. Eizenkot received a positive trust rating from 54% of respondents, while only 29% rated his trustworthiness poorly. In contrast, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was rated poorly by 60% of those surveyed, with only 38% considering him trustworthy. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also received a majority negative trust rating at 53%, with 41% rating him positively.

The poll also projects the potential distribution of Knesset seats if elections were held now. Eizenkot's party, Yashar!, leads with 22.75 mandates, followed closely by Netanyahu's Likud with 22.25 mandates. Bennett and Yair Lapid's party, Beyachad, is projected to receive 16.25 mandates. Other notable parties include the Democrats led by Yair Golan (9.75 mandates), Yisrael Beiteinu under Avigdor Lieberman (9.5 mandates), and Otzma Yehudit led by Itamar Ben-Gvir (8.5 mandates). The ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and United Torah Judaism each hold 8 mandates.

Regarding voter attitudes, 65% of respondents said that government legislation favoring the ultra-Orthodox community, such as the Basic Law on Torah Study and military service exemptions, influences their voting decisions. Only 28% said these laws do not affect their vote. Additionally, nearly half of Israelis (49%) with voting-age children said their children vote for the same party or bloc as they do, while 10% said their children vote differently.

The poll also found that 53% of Israelis oppose forming a government supported or tolerated by the Ra'am party led by Mansour Abbas, while 31% support such a government. A majority of 61% prefer that ultra-Orthodox parties not be included in the next government, compared to 27% who favor their inclusion. The "anti-Bibi" bloc currently holds 68.75 mandates, outnumbering the "pro-Bibi" bloc with 51.25 mandates.

These findings highlight significant public skepticism toward Netanyahu's leadership, growing support for Eizenkot, and a clear majority opposition to ultra-Orthodox parties' participation in the next government.