New Poll Shows Opposition Bloc Leading with 61 Seats, Otzma Yehudit Gains 9 Mandates

A recent poll conducted by Professor Yitzhak Katz for Channel 16 reveals a lead for the opposition bloc in Israel's upcoming elections, securing 61 seats compared to 51 for the coalition bloc. The party "Yashar," led by Gadi Eizenkot, emerges as the largest with 22 mandates, followed closely by Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud with 21 seats. Naftali Bennett's "Together" party is projected to receive 14 seats, while the Democrats are expected to gain 11.

Otzma Yehudit, headed by Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, strengthens its position to 9 seats, matching Shas and Yisrael Beiteinu. United Torah Judaism is projected at 8 seats, and the Hadash-Ta'al alliance at 5. Ra'am, Religious Zionism, and the Zionist Military Veterans party, led by Yoaz Hendel and Hili Tropper, each receive 4 seats. Parties such as Balad and Benny Gantz's party fall below the electoral threshold.

In contrast, a separate poll by Shlomo Philber for Channel 14 presents a different scenario, with the right-wing bloc leading at 62 seats against 48 for the left-center bloc. Likud leads with 31 seats, followed by "Yashar" with 22. Shas receives 11 seats, Democrats 10, and United Torah Judaism, Yisrael Beiteinu, and "Together" each get 8. Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionism are projected at 6 seats each. Several parties, including Balad, the Zionist Military Veterans, Zehut, and Blue and White, do not cross the electoral threshold in this poll either.

These contrasting polls highlight the fluidity of voter preferences ahead of the elections, with key parties like Otzma Yehudit showing notable gains in both surveys. The final election results will determine the balance of power between the opposition and coalition blocs in the Knesset.