Bennett and Eisenkot battle for opposition leadership as new poll splits the camp

A new Channel 12 poll shows Naftali Bennett’s united slate and Gadi Eisenkot’s camp tied, turning the race to lead the opposition into a pivotal struggle. In a special survey of opposition voters, most said Bennett has a better chance of defeating Benjamin Netanyahu, but more said they would rather see Eisenkot lead the change bloc.

Political analysts on the program said the rivalry is intensifying and may be hurting the wider anti-Netanyahu camp. Channel 12 analyst Amit Segal said this is the first time in two years, since June 2024, that Bennett is no longer the largest force in the bloc, adding that Eisenkot could overtake him soon. Columnist Daphne Liel said the two are accumulating “bad blood,” trading attacks and giving Netanyahu ammunition.

Consultant Moshe Klughaft, a former adviser to Netanyahu and Bennett, said, “Netanyahu has so many problems and shortcomings in this election, but he has one asset, the fight between Eisenkot and Bennett.” He argued that both sides are spending too much energy on their internal contest instead of coordinating against Netanyahu. The article also recalled the tense phone call after Bennett’s alliance with Yair Lapid, during which, according to a source familiar with the details, Eisenkot warned that the move would help Bezalel Smotrich pass the electoral threshold. Bennett denies that account. The alliance with Lapid did lift Bennett in the polls, but Segal said it also cost him many right-wing voters.

The survey also found a split between preferred leader and perceived winner. Among opposition voters, only 44 percent think their bloc will win the next election, while 65 percent of Netanyahu voters expect his camp to prevail. On coalition with Arab parties, 47 percent of opposition voters support one backed by Arab factions and 41 percent prefer another option. If Netanyahu does not run, 29 percent said they would still vote Likud, and 6 percent would switch to another party.

Analysts warned the campaign is at risk if Bennett stops leading the bloc. Liel said he entered politics to become prime minister and would have to choose between serving under another liberal leader or shifting back toward Netanyahu. Both Segal and Klughaft said the two men may have only one chance, and must decide by early September, when party lists close. Klughaft suggested they may need a rotation deal if neither can clearly pull ahead.