Likud Drops to 21 Seats as Gadi Eizenkot Leads Netanyahu by 11% in New Poll

A recent poll conducted on August 12-13 reveals a challenging political landscape for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party. Likud is projected to secure only 21 Knesset seats amid internal party struggles, unrest in the West Bank, and progress in Gaza arrangements. Meanwhile, former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot leads Netanyahu by an 11% margin in the prime minister preference, with Eizenkot garnering support equivalent to 61 seats compared to the Zionist opposition.

The poll, carried out by Maariv, surveyed 3,112 individuals with 506 respondents (16%) representing a statistically significant sample of Israel's adult population, including both Jewish and Arab citizens. The margin of error stands at 4.4%. Other parties also showed shifts: the Democratic Party rose by one seat to 10, and the Joint List (Hadash-Ta'al) increased by one seat to 6.

This data underscores a turbulent week for Netanyahu's bloc, reflecting both internal and external pressures. The poll results highlight the evolving political dynamics ahead of upcoming elections, with Eizenkot emerging as a significant contender against Netanyahu's leadership.