Gadi Eizenkot's 'Yashar!' Tops Polls with 23 Seats, Likud Falls to 22

A new Channel 13 poll released on Wednesday shows that if elections were held today, the 'Yashar!' party led by Gadi Eizenkot would be the largest faction in the Knesset with 23 seats. The Likud party drops to 22 seats, while Yamina, led by Naftali Bennett, holds steady at 13 seats.

The survey also indicates that Israel Beytenu strengthens by one seat to 11, matching the Democrats party, which also gains 11 seats. Otzma Yehudit secures 9 seats, United Torah Judaism has 8, and Shas records a second consecutive low with only 7 seats. Hadash-Ta'al receives 6 seats, while Religious Zionism and Ra'am each earn 5 seats. Parties below the electoral threshold include lists led by Hili Tropper, Yoaz Hendel, Balad, and Blue and White under Benny Gantz.

Examining bloc distributions, the opposition bloc totals 58 seats, Netanyahu's coalition bloc has 51, and Arab parties hold 11 seats. In a direct question on suitability for prime minister, Eizenkot leads with 46% compared to Netanyahu's 36%.

The poll also explored potential party mergers. A union of Hadash-Ta'al and Balad would yield 8 seats, while a partnership between Yoav Segalovich and Mansour Abbas would give Ra'am 7 seats. However, Tropper-Hendel, Ardan-Adelstein, and Gantz-Simchi combinations fall below the threshold. Public opinion on including Ra'am in a future coalition, even if separated from the Islamic Movement and with Segalovich joining, shows 45% outright opposition, 29% support under conditions, and 26% undecided. Among coalition supporters, opposition is 79%, with only 6% in favor. Conversely, 65% of the Arab sector supports Ra'am's inclusion under these terms, with 23% opposed. Among non-coalition supporters, 37% back the move, 32% oppose, and 31% remain undecided.