A recent poll from Israel highlights a close contest between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s supporting bloc and the opposition parties, with each securing 53 seats. Arab parties are anticipated to claim 14 seats, leaving both major political groups short of the 61-seat majority needed in the Knesset.
This poll indicates a notable shift from previous projections, which had the opposition leading 57 to 48. The change is largely due to the entrance of two right-wing parties into the Knesset projections: Ofer Winter’s People of Israel, expected to gain four seats, and the alliance between Religious Zionism and Zehut, projected to secure six seats.
Netanyahu’s Likud party has managed to close the gap with the opposition’s main contender, Yashar, led by Gadi Eisenkot. Yashar is forecasted to win 22 seats, with Likud just behind at 21 seats. Meanwhile, the predominantly Arab Joint List has increased its support, reaching nine seats. Conversely, the B’Yachad alliance, led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, has seen a decrease, now projected at 12 seats.
Several other parties, including Unity, Blue and White, and Zionist Home-The Reservists, are expected to fall below the electoral threshold necessary to secure a spot in the Knesset. The poll, which surveyed 940 individuals, carries a margin of error of 3.4%.