Eisenkot leads Netanyahu by 10 points, Likud gains two seats in latest election poll

A recent Maariv poll indicates a significant shift in voter preference, with Gadi Eisenkot leading Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by 10 percentage points in suitability to serve as prime minister. Eisenkot garnered 48% support compared to Netanyahu's 38%.

Despite these shifts, the Likud party, led by Netanyahu, gained two seats this week, reaching 22 seats in the poll. This gain occurred amid Netanyahu's visit to Washington and meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump. However, Likud's gains did not translate into an increase for the overall coalition bloc, which remained at 49 seats, still short of the 61 seats required for a majority. The change bloc also received 57 seats.

The poll also revealed the potential impact of a new party formed by Benny Gantz, Ayelet Shaked, Yuli Edelstein, and Dedi Simchi. This new centrist party could secure four seats, representing 3.8% of the vote. Such a development would likely push the Zionist Home party, led by Chili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel, below the electoral threshold, reducing their support to 2.4% and costing them their four projected seats.

In this scenario, the coalition bloc would gain one seat, reaching 50, while the Zionist opposition bloc would lose one seat, falling to 56. The Arab parties are projected to maintain their 10 seats. Among respondents favoring opposition parties, 45% believe Gadi Eisenkot should lead the center-left bloc, followed by Naftali Bennett (25%), Avigdor Liberman (11%), and Yair Golan (10%).