Yashar! Surpasses Knesset Expectations in New Poll, Eisenkot Leads as Potential PM Over Netanyahu

A new Channel 12 poll, conducted by the Midgam Institute and iPanel, reveals that Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar! party would claim the largest faction in the Knesset if elections were held today, securing 24 seats. The survey, released Monday evening, also highlights Eisenkot as the preferred candidate for prime minister, ahead of incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu.

The poll queried voters on their likely choice, noting that the entry of new parties has somewhat reshaped the balance between political blocs. Most opposition supporters indicated a willingness to form a government with external backing from an Arab party if their coalition fell short of the 61-seat majority required for governance.

The survey was conducted by the Midgam Institute, headed by Mano Geva, in cooperation with iPanel.

The poll, reported by Channel 12 political analyst Amit Segal, showed that the entry of new parties had changed the balance between the political blocs to some extent.

Coalition Voters Back Haredi Parties in Next Government

Coalition voters expressed approval of agreements between Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) parties, with a majority favoring their participation in the upcoming government. These pacts included the passage of the Basic Law: Torah Study and protections for religious draft evaders, while Netanyahu advanced measures like restructuring the attorney general’s role and the Communications Law.

According to the poll, the distribution of seats between the blocs remained unchanged from the previous survey. The Zionist opposition parties received 59 seats, compared with 51 for the coalition parties.

Adding the Arab parties’ 10 seats would bring the opposition’s total to 69. Without their support, neither bloc would reach the 61-seat majority required to form a government.

Eisenkot maintained his lead in prime ministerial suitability, with 43% support, unchanged from the previous week. Netanyahu trailed at 37%.

Opposition Voters Prefer Arab Allies Over New Elections

Channel 12 asked opposition voters which path they would prefer if their bloc missed the majority threshold. A total of 44% favored a government with outside support from an Arab party, while 28% advocated for another election. An additional 13% supported a unity government with Likud, 6% backed a coalition with a Haredi party, and 9% were undecided.

Coalition voters were also queried about their satisfaction with Netanyahu’s agreements with Haredi parties. Of those surveyed, 59% expressed satisfaction, 19% were dissatisfied, and 22% were unsure.

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