Netanyahu and Gadi Eizenkot Neck and Neck as Shas Stalls in New Poll

A recent election poll published by Kan News reveals a tight race between Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and Gadi Eizenkot's Yashar party, each holding 23 seats in the Knesset. Likud lost one seat compared to the previous poll, while Yashar gained one. The right-wing bloc led by Netanyahu slightly weakened from 53 to 52 seats, whereas Eizenkot's bloc strengthened from 56 to 57 seats.

The poll also shows that the Beyachad party, led by Naftali Bennett, gained one seat, rising to 14 seats. Otzma Yehudit, headed by Itamar Ben-Gvir, increased by two seats to 10, while the Religious Zionist Party under Bezalel Smotrich dropped from five to four seats. New center-right parties "The Zionist Home - Reservists" and "The Unity," led by Hili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel, and Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein respectively, failed to cross the electoral threshold, as did Benny Gantz's Blue and White and Sami Abu Shehadeh's Balad.

For the first time in about a month, Gadi Eizenkot leads in suitability for prime minister with 41%, up from 36%, surpassing Netanyahu who dropped to 36% from 41%. The gap between Netanyahu and Bennett narrowed significantly to just 2%, with Netanyahu at 37% and Bennett at 35%. A Likud-only poll ahead of party primaries showed Tali Gottlieb as the Knesset member best representing party values, while Miri Regev was seen as most damaging to the party's election chances. About 60% of Likud voters want Netanyahu to reserve a Knesset seat for spokesperson Yosef Hadad, and 57% approve of Netanyahu's current seat reservations.

The poll highlights shifting dynamics within the right-wing and center-right blocs ahead of the elections, with Netanyahu's dominance challenged by Eizenkot and Bennett, while smaller parties struggle to gain traction.