New poll gives Netanyahu's bloc a two-seat edge over Arab-inclusive opposition
A Channel 13 poll projects the Netanyahu-aligned bloc at 54 seats, two more than the Jewish parties that plan to include Arab groups.
According to a poll released Wednesday, the bloc backing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is projected to obtain 54 seats in the upcoming Knesset election, giving it a two-seat advantage over the opposing Jewish coalition that plans to incorporate Arab parties. Arab parties United Arab List and Join List together would hold 14 seats, whereas the Reservists list led by Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha does not meet the electoral threshold.
Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party stays the biggest single party with 21 seats, with Netanyahu's Likud close behind at 19. Naftali Bennett's Together and Yair Golan's Democrats each target 11 seats, while the Joint List and Yisrael Beiteinu each aim for nine. Otzma Yehudit, United Torah Judaism, Shas, Religious Zionism, Ra'am and Amkha Yisrael also feature in the seat distribution, and Benny Gantz's Kahol Lavan falls short of the threshold.
Why it matters
The poll shows how the boycott of Arab parties may give Netanyahu's bloc a decisive edge in Israel's next election.
How this story developed
- Sep 1 Israeli prime minister's wife faces libel claim over Oct. 7 accusations
- Sep 19 Netanyahu pledged legislation to strip citizenship from those who “defame” soldiers.
- Sep 22 Mayor Zohran Mamdani reiterated his view that Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal, noting the ICC’s arrest warrant but acknowledging he cannot detain the Israeli leader.
- Sep 23 Israel's Central Elections Committee barred the Joint List from the upcoming Knesset election, prompting the alliance to label the move racist and vow a Supreme Court appeal.
- Sep 24 The electoral commission has acted on two Arab party lists.
- Sep 24 Netanyahu announced he will use his UN appearance to directly attack New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
- Sep 24 Netanyahu delivered the UN address and a large walkout occurred.
- Sep 24 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a combative UN speech, attacking Iran, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and allies Britain, France and Turkey, prompting walkouts and protests.
- Sep 25 A mass walkout by UN delegates and arrests of protesters occurred after the speech.
- Sep 26 The film’s worldwide theatrical rollout began late September and a free online streaming launch was announced for November.
- Sep 26 Mamdani accused Netanyahu of lying and cited the ICC arrest warrant during his UN response.
- Sep 27 Netanyahu publicly urged right‑wing parties to merge ahead of the election.
- Sep 28 Netanyahu held a private hour‑long meeting with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi and asked him to publicly reject the allegation that the UAE had warned Israel of the Oct 7 attack.
- Sep 28 UAE's state news agency confirmed that Netanyahu arrived in Abu Dhabi for a high‑level meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
In this story
Related stories
61 in this thread