Gadi Eizenkot's Yisrael Party Surpasses Likud in New Poll Ahead of Knesset Dissolution

A new poll published by Channel 12 on July 13, 2026, reveals a significant shift in Israeli political dynamics just days before the Knesset is set to dissolve. For the first time, the Yisrael party, led by former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot, emerges as the largest party with 23 seats, overtaking Likud, which drops to 22 seats under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This marks a continuing upward trend for Eizenkot, who also leads in suitability for prime minister with 43% support compared to Netanyahu's 34%.

The third-largest party remains Yamina, headed by Naftali Bennett, holding steady at 16 seats. Other notable parties include the Democratic Camp with 10 seats, Yisrael Beiteinu also at 10, Otzma Yehudit with 9, Shas and United Torah Judaism each with 8, and the Joint List and Religious Zionism with 5 seats apiece. New parties led by Hili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel fail to cross the electoral threshold, polling at 2.9%. Blue and White under Benny Gantz and Balad also remain below the threshold.

The bloc map shows the Zionist opposition strengthening to 59 seats, or 69 including Arab parties, while the current coalition holds 51 seats. Neither side can form a government without additional partners. Various hypothetical party mergers, including those involving Gantz, Smotrich, and Hendel-Tropper, do not change this stalemate.

Public opinion also reveals that 62% oppose a legislative deal between Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox parties involving controversial laws on Torah study, immunity for draft evaders, media restrictions, and a political inquiry into the October 7 events. Regarding the impact of the October 7 attacks on political views, about half of respondents say their ideology was unaffected, while 38% report a shift toward more right-wing positions.

The poll was conducted by Meno Geva's Consulting and Research on July 13, 2026, with a representative sample of 509 Israeli adults and a margin of error of ±4.4%. Data collection combined internet and telephone methods.