Eisenkot surges ahead as Likud support falters, poll projects 26 Knesset seats

Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party is surging in the polls, projected to secure 26 seats in the upcoming Knesset elections, an increase of three seats since last week. This rise comes despite the Likud party's recent primaries, which have not translated into increased support, with the party now projected to win only 20 seats.

The shift in voter preference strengthens the opposition bloc, which collectively stands at 60 seats, just one seat shy of the 61 needed for a majority coalition. This trend suggests a potential shift in the political landscape, with Eisenkot emerging as a strong contender for leadership.

Further bolstering Eisenkot's position, he has significantly widened his lead over incumbent Prime Minister Netanyahu in terms of suitability for the premiership. A recent poll indicates Eisenkot holds a 14-percentage-point advantage over Netanyahu, marking a record gap and underscoring his growing appeal among voters.

Meanwhile, several other parties, including the Reservists Party, Ofer Winter's new party, Unity, and a new economic party, failed to cross the electoral threshold. The poll also noted that Arab parties, following a merger between Hadash-Ta'al and Balad, are expected to collectively win 11 seats.