Gadi Eizenkot Surpasses Netanyahu in Mandates and Prime Minister Preference in New Poll

A new Kan News poll published on Sunday reveals a significant shift in Israel's political landscape, with Gadi Eizenkot's party "Yashar!" leading the Likud party led by Benjamin Netanyahu in the number of Knesset mandates for the first time. According to the poll, Eizenkot's party would secure 24 mandates, while Likud would receive 23. The poll also shows that the "Together" party, headed by Naftali Bennett, would gain 15 mandates, followed by Israel Beiteinu with 10, the Democrats with 9, Otzma Yehudit with 8, Shas with 8, United Torah Judaism with 8, Religious Zionism with 5, Hadash-Ta'al with 5, and Ra'am with 5.

Notably, the poll indicates that a bloc opposing Netanyahu could achieve a majority of 61 mandates without relying on Arab or ultra-Orthodox parties by including a joint party formed by Gilad Erdan, Yuli Edelstein, and Ayelet Shaked. In terms of suitability for prime minister, Eizenkot leads with 41% support compared to Netanyahu's 37%. Another scenario tested in the poll shows the joint party of Erdan, Edelstein, and Shaked crossing the electoral threshold with 5 mandates, while parties led by Benny Gantz, Giora Simchi, Yoaz Hendel, Tzachi Tropper, and Ofer Winter fail to pass the threshold.

The poll also explored the possibility of MK Tzachi Tropper joining Eizenkot's party, which would increase "Yashar!"'s strength to 25 mandates and widen its lead over Likud to two mandates. This survey highlights a potential realignment in Israeli politics ahead of upcoming elections, with Eizenkot emerging as a significant challenger to Netanyahu's leadership.