A new Knesset seat poll published overnight shows Bibi Netanyahu’s Likud retaining its position as Israel’s largest party, while Shas has climbed to become the country’s third-largest political force.
According to the survey conducted by the Maagar Mochot research institute and broadcast on Channel 13 News, Likud would win 25 seats if elections were held today. Close behind is the newly formed “Bennett 2026” list led by former prime minister Naftali Bennett, which places second with 23 seats, down one mandate from the previous poll.
Shas, led by Aryeh Deri, ranks third with 10 seats. Three parties are tied just behind it with nine seats each: Otzma Yehudit headed by Itamar Ben Gvir, The Democrats led by Yair Golan, and Yisrael Beiteinu under Avigdor Lieberman.
The poll shows a further decline for Yesh Atid, headed by Yair Lapid, which would receive just eight seats. Yeshar, led by Gadi Eisenkot, stands at seven seats, the same number projected for United Torah Judaism.
Among Arab parties, Hadash-Ta’al is projected to win five seats, while Ra’am, led by Mansour Abbas, would secure four seats. The poll also shows Balad crossing the electoral threshold for the first time in recent surveys, also with four seats.
Several parties are shown failing to enter the Knesset at all, including Blue and White led by Benny Gantz, Religious Zionism headed by Bezalel Smotrich, and The Reservists under Yoaz Hendel.
In terms of political blocs, the poll gives Netanyahu-aligned parties 51 seats, while parties opposed to Netanyahu total 56 seats. Arab parties collectively account for 13 seats.
The survey also examined public opinion regarding Gantz’s political future amid his party’s continued failure to cross the electoral threshold. According to the findings, 48 percent of respondents believe Gantz should retire from politics, while 29 percent say he should continue and run in the next election.
{Matzav.com}
