Gadi Eizenkot Surges Ahead in Polls as Netanyahu Bloc Collapses

A recent Channel 13 poll shows former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot leading with 23 Knesset seats, surpassing Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, which holds 21 seats. In a direct question about suitability for prime minister, Eizenkot leads Netanyahu 47% to 34%. The opposition bloc, including parties led by Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman, reaches a combined total of 60 seats when adding Hili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel.

The "Together" party headed by Naftali Bennett is projected to win 12 seats, while the "Democrats" maintain 11 seats. Other parties include Yisrael Beiteinu with 10 seats, United Torah Judaism and Otzma Yehudit each with 8 seats, and Shas with 7 seats. Among coalition supporters, Netanyahu retains 90% support for prime minister suitability, but Eizenkot leads with 71% among the rest of the public.

The poll also examined potential party mergers ahead of elections. If Hili Tropper joins Eizenkot, their combined list would receive 22 seats, one less than Eizenkot's party alone. In this scenario, the opposition bloc totals 57 seats, the coalition 49 seats, and Arab parties strengthen to 14 seats collectively.