Right-Wing Bloc Holds Strong as Smotrich and Ben Gvir Tie in Mandates

A new Channel 14 poll conducted by Shlomo Philber and NEXT DATA, published on July 29, shows a stable political landscape in Israel. The right-wing bloc maintains a solid majority with 62 mandates, while the center-left bloc holds 48 mandates. Arab parties collectively receive 10 mandates.

The Likud party, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, remains the largest in the Knesset with 31 mandates. The newly formed 'Yashar' party, headed by Gadi Eizenkot, follows with 22 mandates. Other parties include Shas with 11 mandates, the Democrats with 10, and Yahadut HaTorah, Yisrael Beiteinu, and 'Together' each with eight mandates. Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionism each secure six mandates, while Arab parties Hadash-Ta'al and Ra'am receive five mandates each.

Several smaller parties fall below the electoral threshold, including Balad at 2.9%, the Zionist Home for Reservists led by Hili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel at 1.9%, Zehut led by Moshe Feiglin at 1.3%, along with others such as Ofer Winter, Gilad Erdan, and Blue and White with less than 1% support.

Regarding suitability for prime minister, Netanyahu leads decisively with 54% public support. His main rival, Gadi Eizenkot, garners 34%, followed by Naftali Bennett at 8%, Avigdor Lieberman at 3%, and Benny Gantz at 1%. In a direct comparison between Netanyahu and Eizenkot, Netanyahu leads with 56% to 44%. Notably, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are now tied in mandates, reflecting shifts within the right-wing bloc.