New Poll Shows Likud Gains as Israel's Election Campaign Intensifies

As Israel approaches the elections for the 26th Knesset, a new poll by Direct Polls, led by Zuriel Sharon for i24NEWS, reveals the latest political landscape. According to the survey, if elections were held today, the Likud party would increase its seats by two, reaching 30 mandates amid preparations for its internal primaries.

The second-largest party remains Yisrael Atid, led by former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, holding steady at 23 seats. The Democrats maintain their position with 10 seats. Other parties include Yisrael Beiteinu and United Torah Judaism, each with 9 seats, and Shas with 8 seats. The faction "Together," headed by Naftali Bennett, gains one seat to reach 8 mandates, while Otzma Yehudit, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, loses one seat, dropping to 7. Hadash-Ta'al falls by two seats to 6 mandates. Religious Zionism and Ra'am each hold 5 seats, just passing the electoral threshold.

Several parties remain below the threshold, including Zehut (Moshe Feiglin), Zionist Home (Hili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel), Yaron Zelekha's economic party, Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein's Unity party, Balad, Blue and White, and Noam.

Regarding bloc distribution, the coalition bloc leads with 59 seats, the Change bloc holds 50 seats, and Arab parties collectively have 11 seats, reflecting a fragmented but competitive political environment as the election date nears.